| | 張釋之馮... : |
張廷尉釋之者，堵陽人也，字季。有兄仲同居。以訾為騎郎，事孝文帝，十歲不得調，無所知名。釋之曰：「久宦減仲之產，不遂。」欲自免歸。中郎將袁盎知其賢，惜其去，乃請徙釋之補謁者。釋之既朝畢，因前言便宜事。文帝曰：「卑之，毋甚高論，令今可施行也。」於是釋之言秦漢之閒事，秦所以失而漢所以興者久之。文帝稱善，乃拜釋之為謁者仆射。 |
| | Zhang Tingwei Shizhi was a native of Duyang, courtesy name Ji. He had an elder brother named Zhong with whom he lived together. He became a Qi Lang through his wealth and served Emperor Xiaowen, but after ten years was not transferred to another post and remained unknown. Shizhi said: "Remaining in office for a long time has reduced Zhong's property, but I have still not succeeded." He wanted to resign and return home. Zhonglangjiang Yuan Ang, knowing his virtue, regretted that he was leaving, so he requested to transfer Shizhi and appoint him as a Yezhe. After Shizhi had finished attending court, he took the opportunity to speak on matters of convenience and benefit. Emperor Wen said: "Speak humbly; do not make lofty arguments, but let what you say be implementable now." Thus Shizhi spoke about events between the Qin and Han dynasties, discussing at length why the Qin fell and the Han rose. Emperor Wen praised him highly, and thus appointed Shizhi as Yezhe Puye.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
釋之從行，登虎圈。上問上林尉諸禽獸簿，十餘問，尉左右視，盡不能對。虎圈嗇夫從旁代尉對上所問禽獸簿甚悉，欲以觀其能口對響應無窮者。文帝曰：「吏不當若是邪？尉無賴！」乃詔釋之拜嗇夫為上林令。釋之久之前曰：「陛下以絳侯周勃何如人也？」上曰：「長者也。」又復問：「東陽侯張相如何如人也？」上復曰：「長者。」釋之曰：「夫絳侯、東陽侯稱為長者，此兩人言事曾不能出口，豈斅此嗇夫諜諜利口捷給哉！且秦以任刀筆之吏，吏爭以亟疾苛察相高，然其敝徒文具耳，無惻隱之實。以故不聞其過，陵遲而至於二世，天下土崩。今陛下以嗇夫口辯而超遷之，臣恐天下隨風靡靡，爭為口辯而無其實。且下之化上疾於景響，舉錯不可不審也。」文帝曰：「善。」乃止不拜嗇夫。 |
| | Shizhi accompanied the emperor on a journey and climbed up to the tiger enclosure. The emperor asked the Shanglin Wei about the records of various birds and beasts, asking more than ten questions; the Wei looked around to his left and right but could not answer any. The tiger enclosure Sifu answered from the side for the Wei, responding in great detail to what the emperor had asked about the records of birds and beasts; he wanted to demonstrate his ability to answer orally with immediate responses without end. Emperor Wen said: "Should officials not be like this?" "The Wei is good for nothing!" He then issued an order appointing the Sifu as Shanglin Ling. Earlier, Shizhi had said: "Your Majesty, what kind of man do you think Duke Jiong Zhou Bo was?" The emperor replied: "He was a man of virtue." Shizhi asked again: "What kind of person do you think Lord Dongyang Zhang Xiangru was?" The emperor replied again: "He was a man of virtue." Shizhi said: "Duke Jiong and Lord Dongyang were called men of virtue. These two men, when speaking on matters, could not even utter a word; how could they be like this Sifu, who is talkative with an eloquent tongue and quick to respond?" Moreover, the Qin dynasty relied on officials who were skilled in writing and legal matters; these officials competed with one another to be swift, strict, and overly meticulous, but their shortcomings amounted only to empty formalities, lacking genuine compassion. Because of this, no one heard of their faults; the decline continued until the Second Emperor, and then the empire collapsed like earth crumbling away. Now Your Majesty promotes this Sifu merely because of his eloquence, and I fear that the whole country will follow suit, competing to be talkative without possessing real virtue. Moreover, the people below emulate their superiors more quickly than shadows and echoes; therefore, one cannot fail to be cautious about one's actions." Emperor Wen said: "Well spoken." He then stopped and did not appoint the Sifu.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
上就車，召釋之參乘，徐行，問釋之秦之敝。具以質言。至宮，上拜釋之為公車令。 |
| | The emperor got into his carriage, summoned Shizhi to ride with him as a companion, and drove slowly while asking Shizhi about the shortcomings of the Qin dynasty. Shizhi gave a detailed account in plain language. Upon arriving at the palace, the emperor appointed Shizhi as Gongche Ling.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
頃之，太子與梁王共車入朝，不下司馬門，於是釋之追止太子、梁王無得入殿門。遂劾不下公門不敬，奏之。薄太后聞之，文帝免冠謝曰：「教兒子不謹。」薄太后乃使使承詔赦太子、梁王，然後得入。文帝由是奇釋之，拜為中大夫。 |
| | Soon after, the crown prince and Prince Liang entered court together in a carriage without dismounting at Sima Gate. At this point, Shizhi hurriedly stopped them from entering the palace gate. He then impeached them for not dismounting before a public gate and thus committing an act of disrespect, submitting his report to the emperor. Empress Dowager Bo heard about it, and Emperor Wen removed his hat in apology, saying: "I was not careful enough in teaching my son." Empress Dowager Bo then sent an envoy to issue a decree pardoning the crown prince and Prince Liang, after which they were allowed to enter. Emperor Wen thus regarded Shizhi as extraordinary and appointed him Zhongdafa.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
頃之，至中郎將。從行至霸陵，居北臨廁。是時慎夫人從，上指示慎夫人新豐道，曰：「此走邯鄲道也。」使慎夫人鼓瑟，上自倚瑟而歌，意慘悽悲懷，顧謂群臣曰：「嗟乎！以北山石為槨，用紵絮斮陳，蕠漆其閒，豈可動哉！」左右皆曰：「善。」釋之前進曰：「使其中有可欲者，雖錮南山猶有郄；使其中無可欲者，雖無石槨，又何戚焉！」文帝稱善。其後拜釋之為廷尉。 |
| | Soon after, he was promoted to Zhonglangjiang. Accompanying the emperor on a journey to Balin, he stayed in the northern part of Lin Ci. At that time, Shen Fu was accompanying him; the emperor pointed out to Shen Fu the road of Xinfeng and said: "This is the route to Handan." He had Shen Fu play the se, and the emperor himself leaned against the se while singing. His expression was sorrowful and melancholy; he turned to his ministers and said: "Alas!" "Using stones from the northern mountain as a coffin, lined with hemp wadding and lacquered between layers—how could it possibly be moved!" Those around him all said: "Well spoken." Shizhi stepped forward and said: "If there were something within that could be desired, even if the southern mountain were sealed shut, there would still be a flaw; if there is nothing within to desire, then even without a stone coffin, what sorrow could there be!" Emperor Wen praised his words. Later, he appointed Shizhi as Tingwei.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
頃之，上行出中渭橋，有一人從橋下走出，乘輿馬驚。於是使騎捕，屬之廷尉。釋之治問。曰：「縣人來，聞蹕，匿橋下。久之，以為行已過，即出，見乘輿車騎，即走耳。」廷尉秦當，一人犯蹕，當罰金。文帝怒曰：「此人親驚吾馬，吾馬賴柔和，令他馬，固不敗傷我乎？而廷尉乃當之罰金！」釋之曰：「法者天子所與天下公共也。今法如此而更重之，是法不信於民也。且方其時，上使立誅之則已。今既下廷尉，廷尉，天下之平也，一傾而天下用法皆為輕重，民安所措其手足？唯陛下察之。」良久，上曰：「廷尉當是也。」 |
| | Soon after, the emperor was traveling and crossing Zhongwei Bridge when a man emerged from beneath the bridge, causing the imperial carriage's horses to be startled. The emperor then ordered mounted soldiers to capture him and handed him over to Tingwei for judgment. Shizhi interrogated the man. The man said: "I am a native of this county; I heard the imperial procession approaching and hid beneath the bridge. After some time, thinking that the procession had already passed by, I came out and saw the imperial carriage and horses; I simply ran away." Tingwei Qin judged him guilty of violating the imperial procession's route and sentenced him to a fine. Emperor Wen was angry and said: "This man personally startled my horse; I am fortunate that my horse is gentle. If it had been another horse, would it not have thrown me or injured me?" "And yet Tingwei only sentenced him to pay a fine!" Shizhi replied: "The law is something that the Son of Heaven shares with all under heaven. If now we alter it to be harsher, this will make the people lose trust in the law." Moreover, at that moment, if Your Majesty had ordered him executed on the spot, it would have been done. Now that he has already been handed over to Tingwei, Tingwei is the arbiter of justice for all under heaven. If we now tip the scales in one direction, then throughout the land, officials will apply the law with arbitrary severity or leniency; where would the people place their hands and feet?" I beg Your Majesty to consider this carefully." After a long pause, the emperor said: "Tingwei's judgment is correct."
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
其後有人盜高廟坐前玉環，捕得，文帝怒，下廷尉治。釋之案律盜宗廟服御物者為奏，奏當棄市。上大怒曰：「人之無道，乃盜先帝廟器，吾屬廷尉者，欲致之族，而君以法奏之，非吾所以共承宗廟意也。」釋之免冠頓首謝曰：「法如是足也。且罪等，然以逆順為差。今盜宗廟器而族之，有如萬分之一，假令愚民取長陵一抔土，陛下何以加其法乎？」久之，文帝與太后言之，乃許廷尉當。是時，中尉條侯周亞夫與梁相山都侯王恬開見釋之持議平，乃結為親友。張廷尉由此天下稱之。 |
| | Later, there was someone who stole a jade ring from before the throne in the Gao Temple; he was captured, and Emperor Wen became angry and sent him to Tingwei for punishment. Shizhi cited the law regarding stealing items used in the ancestral temple by the imperial family and submitted a report, stating that the punishment should be execution in the market square. The emperor was greatly enraged and said: "This man is so wicked as to steal ritual objects from the temple of my late father. I sent him to Tingwei in order to have his entire clan punished, but you cite the law and submit a report recommending only execution, which does not reflect what I intend for preserving our ancestral temple together." Shizhi removed his hat, kowtowed in apology, and said: "The law is sufficient as it stands. Moreover, the crimes are equal, but their severity depends on whether they are acts of rebellion or obedience." If we now punish the theft of ancestral temple objects with clan extermination, then even if there were one case in ten thousand, suppose a foolish commoner took a handful of soil from Changling Mausoleum—what law would Your Majesty apply to him?" After some time, Emperor Wen discussed it with the Empress Dowager, and she agreed that Tingwei's judgment was appropriate. At this time, Zhongwei Tiao Hou Zhou Yafu and Liang Xiang Shandou Hou Wang Tiankai saw that Shizhi upheld impartial opinions, so they formed a bond of friendship with him. From this point on, Tingwei Zhang was praised throughout the land.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
後文帝崩，景帝立，釋之恐，稱病。欲免去，懼大誅至；欲見謝，則未知何如。用王生計，卒見謝，景帝不過也。 |
| | After Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Shizhi became fearful and claimed to be ill. He wanted to resign from office but feared that a great punishment would come upon him; he wished to appear before the emperor and apologize, yet did not know how it would be received. Following Wang Sheng's plan, he finally appeared in person to apologize; Emperor Jing did not hold it against him.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
王生者，善為黃老言，處士也。嘗召居廷中，三公九卿盡會立，王生老人，曰「吾韤解」，顧謂張廷尉：「為我結韤！」釋之跪而結之。既已，人或謂王生曰：「獨柰何廷辱張廷尉，使跪結韤？」王生曰：「吾老且賤，自度終無益於張廷尉。張廷尉方今天下名臣，吾故聊辱廷尉，使跪結韤，欲以重之。」諸公聞之，賢王生而重張廷尉。 |
| | Wang Sheng was a recluse who excelled in the doctrines of Huang-Lao. He was once summoned to the court, where all the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers stood assembled. Wang Sheng, an old man, said: "My cloth shoes are loose," then turned to Tingwei Zhang and said: "Tie my shoes for me!" Shizhi knelt down and tied them. Afterward, someone said to Wang Sheng: "Why did you humiliate Tingwei Zhang in court by making him kneel and tie your shoes?" Wang Sheng said: "I am old and lowly, and I know that I can never be of help to Tingwei Zhang. Tingwei Zhang is now a famous minister under heaven; therefore, I deliberately humiliated him by making him kneel to tie my shoes, in order to bestow greater weight upon his reputation." When the officials heard of this, they admired Wang Sheng and held Tingwei Zhang in even higher esteem.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
張廷尉事景帝歲餘，為淮南王相，猶尚以前過也。久之，釋之卒。其子曰張摯，字長公，官至大夫，免。以不能取容當世，故終身不仕。 |
| | After serving Emperor Jing for more than a year, Tingwei Zhang became the prime minister of Prince Huainan, still bearing the burden of his past offense. After some time, Shizhi died. His son was Zhang Zhi, courtesy name Changgong, who held the rank of Daifu before being dismissed from office. Because he could not flatter or please his contemporaries, he remained unofficed for life.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
馮唐者，其大父趙人。父徙代。漢興徙安陵。唐以孝著，為中郎署長，事文帝。文帝輦過，問唐曰：「父老何自為郎？家安在？」唐具以實對。文帝曰：「吾居代時，吾尚食監高袪數為我言趙將李齊之賢，戰於鉅鹿下。今吾每飯，意未嘗不在鉅鹿也。父知之乎？」唐對曰：「尚不如廉頗、李牧之為將也。」上曰：「何以？」唐曰：「臣大父在趙時，為官（卒）［率］將，善李牧。臣父故為代相，善趙將李齊，知其為人也。」上既聞廉頗、李牧為人，良說，而搏髀曰：「嗟乎！吾獨不得廉頗、李牧時為吾將，吾豈憂匈奴哉！」唐曰：「主臣！陛下雖得廉頗、李牧，弗能用也。」上怒，起入禁中。良久，召唐讓曰：「公柰何眾辱我，獨無閒處乎？」唐謝曰：「鄙人不知忌諱。」 |
| | Feng Tang was a man whose grandfather was from the State of Zhao. His father later moved to Dai. After the Han dynasty rose, they relocated to Anling. Tang was renowned for filial piety and served as Zhonglang Shuchang under Emperor Wen. When the emperor passed by in his palanquin, he asked Tang: "You are old; how did you become a Lang?" Where is your home?" Tang answered truthfully. Emperor Wen said: "When I was in Dai, my steward Gao Qu often spoke to me about the virtue of Zhao general Li Qi and his battles beneath Julu. Now every time I eat a meal, my thoughts have never been far from Julu. Do you know about him?" Tang replied: "He is still not as good as generals Lianpo and Limu." The emperor asked: "Why so?" Tang said: "My grandfather, when he was in Zhao, served as an officer and was good friends with Limu. My father previously served as prime minister of Dai and was close to Zhao general Li Qi; I know his character." After hearing about the characters of Lianpo and Limu, the emperor was very pleased. He clapped his thigh and said: "Alas! If only I could have had Lianpo and Limu as my generals, would I still be worried about the Xiongnu!" Tang said: "Your Majesty! Even if Your Majesty were to obtain Lianpo and Limu, you would not be able to use them." The emperor became angry, got up, and went into the palace. After a long time, he summoned Tang and rebuked him, saying: "How could you humiliate me in public? Was there no quiet place for you to do this?" Tang apologized, saying: "I am a vulgar man who does not know the taboos."
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
當是之時，匈奴新大入朝那，殺北地都尉卬。上以胡寇為意，乃卒復問唐曰：「公何以知吾不能用廉頗、李牧也？」唐對曰：「臣聞上古王者之遣將也，跪而推轂，曰閫以內者，寡人制之；閫以外者，將軍制之。軍功爵賞皆決於外，歸而奏之。此非虛言也。臣大父言，李牧為趙將居邊，軍市之租皆自用饗士，賞賜決於外，不從中擾也。委任而責成功，故李牧乃得盡其智能，遣選車千三百乘，彀騎萬三千，百金之士十萬，是以北逐單于，破東胡，滅澹林，西抑彊秦，南支韓、魏。當是之時，趙幾霸。其後會趙王遷立，其母倡也。王遷立，乃用郭開讒，卒誅李牧，令顏聚代之。是以兵破士北，為秦所禽滅。今臣竊聞魏尚為雲中守，其軍市租盡以饗士卒，［出］私養錢，五日一椎牛，饗賓客軍吏舍人，是以匈奴遠避，不近雲中之塞。虜曾一入，尚率車騎擊之，所殺其眾。夫士卒盡家人子，起田中從軍，安知尺籍伍符。終日力戰，斬首捕虜，上功莫府，一言不相應，文吏以法繩之。其賞不行而吏奉法必用。臣愚，以為陛下法太明，賞太輕，罰太重。且雲中守魏尚坐上功首虜差六級，陛下下之吏，削其爵，罰作之。由此言之，陛下雖得廉頗、李牧，弗能用也。臣誠愚，觸忌諱，死罪死罪！」文帝說。是日令馮唐持節赦魏尚，復以為雲中守，而拜唐為車騎都尉，主中尉及郡國車士。 |
| | At that time, the Xiongnu had just launched a large-scale invasion of Chaona and killed Duwei Ang of Beidi. The emperor, preoccupied with the Hu raiders, finally asked Tang again: "How do you know I cannot use Lianpo and Limu?" Tang replied: "I have heard that in ancient times, when a sovereign sent out his generals, he would kneel and push the cart's hub forward, saying, 'Within the military gate, I shall command it; Beyond the military gate, the general shall command it.'" Military achievements and rewards were all decided outside the court, then reported back. This is not empty talk. My grandfather said that when Limu served as a general on Zhao's frontier, he used the taxes from the military market to entertain his soldiers. Rewards and grants were decided outside court, without interference from within. By entrusting him with authority and demanding results, Limu was able to fully utilize his intelligence and capability. He selected 1,300 chariots, 13,000 crossbowmen, and 100,000 elite soldiers who each received a hundred gold pieces in reward. Thus he drove the Chanyu northward, defeated the Donghu, destroyed Danlin, resisted the powerful Qin to the west, and held off Han and Wei to the south. At that time, Zhao was nearly a hegemon. Later, when King Qian of Zhao came to power, his mother had been a courtesan. After King Qian ascended the throne, he listened to the slander of Guo Kai and eventually executed Limu, ordering Yan Ju to replace him. That is why Zhao's army was defeated and its soldiers driven northward, captured and annihilated by Qin. Now I have secretly heard that Wei Shang serves as governor of Yunzhong, and he uses all the taxes from the military market for his soldiers' feasts. He also spends private funds to slaughter a bull every five days to entertain guests, officers, and attendants in the army. Therefore, the Xiongnu keep their distance and avoid approaching Yunzhong's frontier fortifications. When raiders once entered, Wei Shang led his chariots and cavalry to attack them, killing many of their forces. These soldiers are all sons of common families who came from the fields into military service; how could they possibly know about the records and rosters? They fight all day, beheading enemies and capturing raiders, reporting their achievements to the general's headquarters, yet receive no response. Bureaucrats then punish them according to law. Rewards are not given, but officials enforcing laws strictly apply punishments. I am foolish enough to believe that Your Majesty's laws are too strict, rewards too light, and punishments too severe. Moreover, the governor of Yunzhong Wei Shang was punished for a discrepancy of six enemy heads in his report. Your Majesty sent him to the officials, stripped him of his title, and sentenced him to penal labor. From this it can be seen that even if Your Majesty were to have Lianpo or Limu, you could not use them. "I am truly foolish, having touched upon forbidden topics; I beg for mercy, my death is deserved!" Emperor Wen was pleased. On that day, he ordered Feng Tang to carry the imperial token and pardon Wei Shang, restoring him as governor of Yunzhong. He also appointed Tang as Juqi Duwei (General-in-Chief of Chariots), in charge of the Zhongwei forces and charioteers from commanderies and states.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
七年，景帝立，以唐為楚相，免。武帝立，求賢良，舉馮唐。唐時年九十餘，不能復為官，乃以唐子馮遂為郎。遂字王孫，亦奇士，與余善。 |
| | In the seventh year, Emperor Jing ascended the throne and appointed Tang as prime minister of Chu, but later dismissed him. When Emperor Wu came to power, he sought virtuous men and recommended Feng Tang. At that time, Tang was over ninety years old and could no longer serve as an official; thus his son Feng Sui was appointed as a Lang (court attendant). Sui's courtesy name was Wangsun, also an extraordinary man, and he was on good terms with me.
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| | 張釋之馮... : |
太史公曰：張季之言長者，守法不阿意；馮公之論將率，有味哉！有味哉！語曰「不知其人，視其友」。二君之所稱誦，可著廊廟。書曰「不偏不黨，王道蕩蕩；不黨不偏，王道便便」。張季、馮公近之矣。 |
| | Grand Historian said: Zhang Ji's words reflected the virtue of a gentleman; he upheld the law without bending to authority; Feng Gong's discussion on generals is most thought-provoking! How profound it is! The saying goes, "If you do not know a man, look at his friends." The two men's words of praise are worthy to be recorded in the halls and temples. The Book says, "Neither partial nor partisan, the royal way is broad and open; Not partisan or biased, the royal path is smooth and clear." Zhang Ji and Feng Gong were close to embodying this.
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