从一件小事看宋朝的士大夫怎样忠君爱国
Examining the Loyalty and Patriotism of Song Dynasty Scholar-official through a Minor Incident
宋太祖生前立下“勒石三戒”，其中第二条是“不杀士大夫”。“勒石三戒”只允许皇帝在登基的时候，去太庙中去看这个祖训，皇帝并不公开宣布。但大臣们心知肚明，这是个公开的秘密。现在有人争辩说只是杀得少，还是杀了几个的。另有人对这个“三戒”的存在有质疑，还有人认为这是宋朝尚文弱武的重要原因，为以后的灭亡埋下了种子。
During the reign of Song Taizu, he established the "Three Prohibitions," with the second one being "do not kill scholar-official." The "Three Prohibitions" allowed the emperor to visit the ancestral temple during his enthronement to learn about this ancestral injunction, which was not publicly announced. However, ministers were well aware that this was an open secret. Some argue that Song emperors did kill a few scholars, while others question the existence of these prohibitions. Some people also suggest that they contributed to the weakening of the Song Dynasty.
真伪和是非得失都是长话题，不能在这里讨论了。然而不争的事实是，宋朝知识分子的人数空前壮大。由科举出身的士大夫精英们，怀着“君主与士大夫共治天下”的意识，在施政中反映了更多的民本思想和家国情怀，对于朝廷政治和人民生计都起到了很好作用。儒家思想的熏陶、科举制度的相对公平、以及君王对知识分子人格的尊重，形成士大夫浓厚的“共治”意识的，进而早就了宋朝政治、经济和文化的空前繁荣。
Regardless of the debates, it is a fact that the number of intellectuals in the Song Dynasty reached unprecedented levels. Scholars who emerged from the imperial examination system, driven by a sense of "co-governance of the nation with the monarch," reflected more populist ideas and patriotic sentiments in governance, playing a significant role in both imperial politics and people's livelihoods. The influence of Confucianism, the relatively fair imperial examination system, and the emperor's respect for intellectuals fostered a strong sense of "co-governance" among scholar-official, contributing to the unprecedented prosperity of politics, economy, and culture in the Song Dynasty.
“共治”的例子很多。比如北宋是宋仁宗之所以“仁”，就是体现在他对包拯、范仲淹、欧阳修等一些优秀士大夫提出不同意见时的态度上的。这里我们说发生在南宋孝宗朝的一件小事，看看当时的士大夫如何忠君爱国。宋孝宗是南宋的第二位皇帝，一般认为他是南宋最有作为的皇帝。他在公元1163年领导的“隆兴北伐”希望收复中原，光复北宋故地，可惜未能成功。这里我们说的确实是一件小事，即孝宗提拔了一个不合格的人，我们看看几相关的几个大臣如何反应：
There are many examples of "co-governance." For instance, during the Northern Song, Emperor Renzong's "benevolence" was evident in his attitude toward outstanding scholar-official like Bao Zheng, Fan Zhongyan, and Ouyang Xiu when they presented differing opinions. Now, let's explore a minor incident that occurred during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong in the Southern Song to see how scholar-official demonstrated their loyalty and patriotism.
乾道七年（1171年），宋孝宗提拔了一个叫张说的人任“签书枢密院事”，这个职务在国家军政管理方面权力不小。然而这个任命却引起朝廷舆论哗然，因为这个张说是孝宗的父皇高宗的吴皇后的妹夫。张说是武将出身，水平有限，此前任阁门事兼枢密副承旨，乏善可陈。张说之所以能够得到孝宗的器重，除了他的外戚身份以外，还在于他主张抗金，对北伐积极赞同，言辞合孝宗的心意。然而他的水平与职位确实不称。
In the seventh year of Qiandao (1171 AD), Emperor Xiaozong appointed a person named Zhang Yue as " Deputy Supervisor of the Secretariat." This position held considerable power in national military and political administration. However, the appointment stirred lots of different views, because Zhang Yue was the brother-in-law of Empress Wu, the queen dowager during Emperor Gaozong's reign. Zhang Yue, with a background as a military officer, had limited capabilities, and his previous role as Secretariat was unremarkable. His favor with Emperor Xiaozong stemmed not only from his family connection but also from his advocacy for resisting the Jurchens, aligning with Emperor Xiaozong's sentiments for the Northern Expedition. However, his competence did not match the position.
首先有所反应的是大臣、著名诗人范成大。他当时任中书舍人，负责起草制书。他暂时扣下皇帝的诏书不下达，又上疏孝宗，“理明辞正”，劝告他任人唯亲影响不好。就在此前一年，范成大受命出使金国，目的是索取赵宋皇室陵墓所在的河南巩、洛之地，同时重议两国交换国书的礼仪。因为后一件事是他见机行事，未被写入首先准备好的国书，于是金国朝廷震怒，范成大险些被杀。最后他不辱使命而归，在朝野上下赢得极高的声誉。他当时任中书舍人，可以说是坐上了进一步升迁的直通车。只要不乱说乱动，日后登宰相的位置是可以想见的。但是他看不惯的事情，冒险也要说。
The first minister to react was the renowned poet Fan Chengdu, who was serving as the Assistant in the Palace Library at the time, responsible for drafting edicts. Temporarily withholding the emperor's edict, Fan Chengda submitted a memorial to Emperor Xiaozong, diplomatically advising against the appointment due to the negative influence of favoritism. Fan Chengda, who had earned high praise a year earlier for his diplomatic mission to the Jin Dynasty, risked his life when he negotiated with the Jurchens. Despite his promising career, he could not overlook what he found objectionable.
第二个有所反应的是“同知枢密院事”刘珙（该职位大约相当于今天的“国务委员”）。张说提拔上去是担任他的副手。按照一般逻辑，皇亲国舅驾到，刘珙应该高兴得屁颠屁颠的才对。可是他一听这个水货要来跟自己共事，愤然辞职。他这种对看不惯的事情不合作早已不是第一回了。多年之前他任中书舍人时，秦桧还是宰相。秦桧想要为故去的父亲加谥号，便请一些官员开会商议。刘珙心想你老爹算神马东西，有什么资格要谥号。于是根本不去出席那个会。秦桧大怒，将他驱逐出朝廷，去管台州崇道观。直到秦桧死后他才被再度启用。
The second person to stand up was Liu Gong, the "Supervisor of the Secretariat," whose position was roughly equivalent to a modern-day "State Councilor." Displeased with the prospect of working with an incompetent subordinate, Liu Gong resigned. This was not the first time he had refused to cooperate with decisions he found disagreeable. Many years earlier, when he served as the Assistant in the Palace Library, he had boycotted a meeting convened by Prime Minister Qin Hui to discuss posthumous titles for his deceased father, considering the deceased unworthy. As a result, he was expelled from the court and later reinstated after Qin Hui's death.
看到贤臣这样辞职，三十多岁的左司员外郎兼侍讲张栻一面请刘珙留步，一面与宰相沟通。张栻不仅是负责稽查的中级官员，他还是一位学者， 在理学和哲学方面颇有造诣。他对宰相虞允文说，你在朝中管理政务，也与皇上多有交流，怎么可以让这样的事情发生呢。话到后来就很不客气：“宦官执政，自京黼始。近习执政，自相公始。”（意思是说“宦官专权，始于蔡京、王黼（这两人都是徽宗时的奸臣）之时，任用亲信执政，是从你（当宰相）开始的。”）
Observing the resignation of this capable minister, Zhang Shi, the Left Assistant in the Imperial Secretariat and an associate lecturer, intervened by asking Liu Gong to stay and then communicated with Prime Minister Yu Yunwen. Zhang Shi, not only a mid-level official responsible for audits but also a scholar well-versed in Confucianism and philosophy, criticized Prime Minister Yu Yunwen harshly: "Eunuch power began with Cai Jing and Wang Fu [corrupt officials during the Huizong era]. The appointment of cronies to key positions started with your tenure as prime minister."
这种话对虞允文可能有点太过分了，他是一代良相。了解一点宋史的人都知道虞允文还是当年领导宋军获得“采石矶大捷“（进而为南宋续命一百多年）的大功臣。就在10年前的绍兴三十一年（1161年），金国海陵王完颜亮率领百万大军攻宋。金国大军一路南下、势如破竹，宋朝岌岌可危。虞允文此时被朝廷派往采石矶（今安徽马鞍山）“犒师”。他到达时，金军正准备由采石矶渡长江。原来负责督军的宋军主帅弃军逃走，散漫在江边的宋军即将人鸟兽散。虞允文只为犒师，本无守土之责。他却挺身而出，亲自督师。他对将士说：若金军渡江，亡国了，你们又能逃往哪里？现在我军控制长江天险，何不能于死里求生。除了鼓励，他还采取了一些具体的防御措施。结果，军心振奋的宋军，以不足两万的兵力与十几万金军血战采石矶，大败金军。事后，因重病无法指挥的大将刘锜握着虞允文的手，钦佩地说：“朝廷养兵千日，竟使书生立功！”。
These words might have been too severe for Yu Yunwen. He was an outstanding Prime Minister of a generation. People familiar with Song history should also know that Yu Yunwen once played as a prominent military commander who played a pivotal role in the "Victory at Caishi," saving the Southern Song from imminent danger. In the 31st year of Shaoxing (1161 AD), the Jin army, led by Prince Hailing Wanyan Liang, marched southward with a massive force, posing a grave threat to the Southern Song. Yu Yunwen was sent to Caishi (modern-day Ma'anshan, Anhui) to "encourage the troops." When he arrived, the Jin army was preparing to cross the Yangtze River. The commander of the Song army had abandoned his post, leaving the scattered soldiers at the riverbank. Although Yu Yunwen was there only to boost morale and had no obligation in defending the territory, he took charge and personally led the troops. He told his soldiers, "If the Jin army crosses the river, the country is lost. Where can you escape to? Now, our army controls the strategic location of the Yangtze. Why can't we seek survival from the jaws of death?" In addition to encouragement, he implemented specific defensive measures. As a result, the motivated Song army, with fewer than 20,000 soldiers, fought fiercely against the Jin army, numbering over a hundred thousand, achieving a significant victory. Afterwards, the ailing general Liu Qi, unable to command, admired Yu Yunwen and said, "The country has nurtured the army for a thousand days, and finally led by a scholar to achieved victory!"
现在，虞允文受到张栻如此严厉、刺耳的批评，“惭愤不堪”，于是他给孝宗上奏：“文武诚不可偏，然今欲右武以均二柄，而所用乃得如此之人，非惟不足以服文吏之心，正恐反激武臣之怒。”（意思是“对文臣和武将不可偏向，然而现在陛下想通过重用武将来平衡文武，而用的又是这样一个人，结果是不仅引起文官不服，恐怕还会激起武将的恼怒。”）
Now, facing Zhang Shi's severe and piercing criticism, Yu Yunwen felt "extremely ashamed " Consequently, he presented a memorial to Emperor Xiaozong, stating, "balance should be maintained between civil and military officials. However, Your Majesty intends to balance the civil and military by promoting a ineligible military officer, and the result is not only the dissatisfaction of civil officials but also the potential anger of military officers."
之后的结果是什么呢？《宋史》中用了八个字：“孝宗感悟，命得中寝。”（“命得中寝”意即诏令收回。）
What happened next? According to the "History of the Song Dynasty," the outcome was summarized in a few concise words: "Emperor Xiaozong was enlightened and retracted the appointment."
我刚才用了一下计算器，2023-1171=852 。我问自己，在中国后来的852年里，在宋朝以后，什么时候大臣/官员可以这样进言，什么时候老大的权力受到这样的制衡呢？我没有找到。
I just used a calculator, and 2023-1171 = 852. I asked myself, in the subsequent 852 years in China, especially after the Song Dynasty, when could ministers or officials openly offer such advice, and when was the supreme power checked like this? I did not find an answer.
