Sima Guang
Character introduction
Sima Guang (1019-1086) was a famous politician, historian and essayist in the Northern Song Dynasty. In the Northern Song Dynasty, he was born in Sushui Township, Xia County, Shaanxi Province (now northeast of Anyi Town, Yuncheng, Shanxi Province). He was born in Guangshan County, Henan Province. His courtesy name was Junshi, his nickname was Yuansou, and he was known as Mr. Sushui in the world. Sima Guang has been fond of learning since he was a child, especially "The Spring and Autumn Annals".
In the first year of Baoyuan (1038) of Song Renzong (Zhao Zhen 1023-1063, the fourth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty), Sima Guangnian was 20 years old, and he was a Jinshi Jiake. Song Yingzong (Zhao Shu, 1064-1067) succeeded to the throne and the former admonishment official, Song Shenzong (Zhao Xu, 1068-1085) Xining (1068-1077) first paid homage to Hanlin
Bachelor, Yushi Zhongcheng.
In the third year of Xining in the Northern Song Dynasty (1070), Sima Guang came out to inform the Yongxing Army because he opposed Wang Anshi's reform. The following year, he was sentenced to the Yushitai of Xijing and lived in Luoyang for fifteen years, specializing in the compilation of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian". Zhezong ascended the throne and returned to serve in the court. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng (1085), he was appointed Minister Zuopushe and his subordinate
Secondary Minister, presiding over the government affairs, rejecting the new party and abolishing the new law. Died a few months later. Posthumously gifted to Grand Master Wen Guogong, posthumously named Wenzheng, and his works are included in "Sima Wenzhenggong Collection".
Sima Guang’s main achievements are reflected in academics. Among them, the greatest contribution is to preside over the compilation of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian". "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" is my country's largest chronicle, with a total of 294 volumes, covering ancient and modern times, starting from the early Warring States period when the three families of Han, Zhao and Wei were divided into Jin ( AD
403 BC), down to the end of the Five Dynasties (Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou) before Zhao Kuangyin (Taizu of the Song Dynasty) destroyed the Later Zhou Dynasty (
959 AD), One thousand three hundred and sixty-two years. The author records the historical facts of these one thousand three hundred and sixty-two years in order of time, using the years as the longitude and the history as the latitude; for the causes and consequences of major historical events, and The relationships in all aspects are clearly explained, allowing readers to understand the development of historical facts at a glance.
Sima Guang devoted most of his energy to compiling the "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" under the imperial edict, which took 19 years, from the third year of Yeping of Yingzong (AD 1066) to
The seventh year of Shenzong Yuanfeng (AD 1084). He said in "Jin Zi Zhi Tong Jian Biao": "The day is insufficient, and the night is followed", and "the energy is exhausted in this book".
Sima Guang wrote a lot. In addition to "Zi Zhi Tong Jian", there are also 80 volumes of "Tong Jian Ju Yao Li", 20 volumes of "Ji Gu Lu", and six volumes of "Hundred Officials of the Dynasty". In addition, he has studied and written in literature, Confucian classics, philosophy and even medicine. His main representative works include "Han
Lin Shicao", "Annotation on Ancient Literature", "Yisuo", "Annotation on Taixuan Jing" "Notes on the Yangtze", "Shu Yi", "Mountain Travel Notes", "Xu Shi Zhi", "Medical Questions
", "Liangshui Chronicles", "Lei Pian", "Sima Wenzhenggong Collection", etc. In history, Sima Guang was once regarded as one of the three sages of Confucianism (the other two are Confucius and Mencius).
In terms of political views, Sima Guang advocated that the legal system will never change, and his political thoughts are relatively conservative. He once said: "The laws of the ancestors are immutable
"; he believed that King Weilie of the Zhou Dynasty appointed Wei Si, a senior official of the Jin Dynasty, as princes, which abandoned the "rituals of the ancestors" and abolished the "laws of the ancestors". He and Wang Anshi are
political enemies.
Character stories and personalities
1. Sima Guang smashed the vat
Sima Guang was born in the third year of Emperor Zhenzong’s reign in the Song Dynasty (November 17, 1019 AD) , at that time, his father Sima Chi was serving as the magistrate of Guangshan County, Guangzhou, so he was named "Guang". Sima Guang's family has been an official for generations. His father, Sima Chi, later became a doctor in the Ministry of War and a waiter in Tianzhang Pavilion. He has always enjoyed a high reputation for his integrity and benevolence.
Sima Guang was deeply influenced by his father and was smart and studious since he was a child.
According to historical records, Sima Guang liked reading "Zuo Zhuan" very much, and often "could not put down the book without letting go of the book, and he did not know whether he was hungry, thirsty, cold or hot." At the age of seven, he was able to recite "Zuo Zhuan" skillfully and narrate the outline of more than two hundred years of history clearly. This shows that he has had a strong interest in history since he was a child. interest.
In addition, there is another incident that made little Sima Guang famous all over Jiuzhou. One time, he was playing in the backyard with his friends. There was a large water tank in the yard. A child climbed up to play on the edge of the tank and accidentally fell into the tank factory. The water in the tank was so big that the child was almost submerged. When the other children saw that something had happened, they were so frightened that they cried and shouted and ran outside to ask for help from adults. However, Sima Guang was so anxious that he picked up a big stone from the ground and threw it at the water tank. "Bang!" The water tank broke, and the water in the tank flowed out, and the people who were submerged in the water flowed out. The child was also saved. The little Sima Guang is calm and calm when in trouble, and has looked like a little adult since he was a child. This is the story of "Sima Guang smashed the vat" that has been passed down to this day. This accidental incident made Xiao Si
Ma Guang famous. Someone in Tokyo and Luoyang painted the incident into a picture and spread it widely.
2. Early fame and fame
In the early years of the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, Sima Guang, who was only 20 years old, passed the Jinshi A Division examination. He achieved early fame. However, he was not complacent and arrogant about this.
He instead boldly put forward: "A wise man should live up to his righteousness and be benevolent, and show himself with virtue. A mere external name is not enough to spread evil." This remark reflects that Ma Guang, the Youth Secretary, does not seek fame in vain, but is determined to build a career with benevolence and become a saint. Since then, he has been working hard in this direction.
Sima Guang has always been simple and frugal, and does not like luxurious and flashy things. After passing the imperial examination, the emperor rewarded him with a wedding banquet. At the banquet, he was the only one who did not
wear a red flower. His companions said to him: "This is a reward from the emperor and cannot go against the emperor's order." Only then did he insert a red flower. flower. This incident was included in Sima Guang's family motto in his later years to teach his son Sima Kang to pay attention to frugality.
In addition, Sima Guang was particularly filial to his parents. When he was appointed as Fenglilang, his father was an official in Hangzhou, so he requested to be appointed as a judge in Suzhou so that he could be closer to his father and support his parents.
Sima Guang is still a compassionate and righteous person. When he served as the general magistrate of Bingzhou, Xixia people often invaded here and became a major disaster in the area. So
Sima Guang suggested to his superior Pang Ji: "Build two castles to control the Xixia people, and then recruit people to farm here." Pang Ji followed his suggestion
, sent Guo En to handle the matter. But Guo En was a reckless man and led his troops to cross the river overnight. Because he did not pay attention to fortification, he was destroyed by the enemy
. Pang Ji was dismissed because of this incident. Sima Guang felt sorry for himself and wrote to the court three times to blame himself and ask to resign, but was not allowed. After Pang Ji's death
Sima Guang worshiped his wife as his mother and raised Pang Ji's son as his own brother. People at the time unanimously believed that Sima Guang Just a virtuous person.
3. Applying knowledge to the world
Inside page of "Zizhi Tongjian"
After entering the official career, Sima Guang still devoted himself to study and strived to understand the past and the present. He was proficient in music, laws and calendars, astronomy, and mathematics, and was particularly attentive to the study of Confucian classics and history. At that time, nearly a hundred years after the founding of the Northern Song Dynasty, various crises had occurred. Sima Guang, who had strong Confucian ideas, participated in political affairs with a positive attitude towards the world and tried to save the country.
1? Directly admonishing loyal ministers
Sima Guang was upright in nature, and he could also adhere to principles in political activities and actively implement decision-making strategies that were beneficial to the country. And in the struggle to recommend wise men and rebuke traitors, he also dared to offend Long Yan. He would rather die and argue with the emperor in court, regardless of his personal safety.
At the beginning of Renzong's illness, the heir to the throne had not yet been determined. For fear that mentioning the succession would offend the sick emperor's taboo, all the leaders remained silent.
Sima Guang mentioned this matter three times in his memorials when he was the general magistrate of Bingzhou, and this time he mentioned it to Renzong in person. Renzong did not criticize him, but he still hesitated to issue an edict. Sima Guang couldn't calm down and wrote another letter saying: "The suggestions I submitted to you before should be implemented immediately." Why should you do such an unlucky thing right away when you are in your prime?
Those young people have no foresight and just want to appoint a prince who has a good relationship with them as their heir in a hurry, like "Dingceguo". There are so many disasters such as "the old man" and "the son of the emperor".
The disaster of losing power to others is really endless. Renzong was greatly moved after seeing it, and soon made Yingzong the prince.
Yingzong He was not Renzong's biological son, but just a member of the clan. Sima Guang expected that after he succeeded to the throne, he would definitely pursue his biological parents. Later, Yingzong actually ordered the ministers to discuss who should be his biological father. What kind of courtesy, but no one dared to say anything.
Sima Guang wrote a letter alone and said: "The heir is the son, and one should not worry about personal relatives. King Pu should follow the established rules and be called Huang Bo. "This opinion is different from that of the ministers in power. The six people in Yushitai argued hard and were dismissed from office. Sima Guang interceded for them, but did not get any favor
Who, So he asked to be demoted with them.
Sima Guang always adhered to this principle throughout his political career and was called the "Minister of Society and Mu". Song Shenzong also said with emotion: "Like Sima."
If people like this are always by my side, I will not make mistakes. "
2? A high-minded and far-sighted strategy
Sima Guang often wrote letters stating his ideas for governing the country. He generally regarded talents, etiquette, benevolence, and trustworthiness as the fundamental measures for governing the country.
He once said that there are three key points in cultivating the mind: benevolence and righteousness, wisdom, and military strategy; there are also three key points in governing a country: being good at using people, meritorious service must be rewarded, and guilty must be punished. Sima Guang
This idea is very important. Complete, it had certain positive significance at the time.
The imperial court issued an order to recruit 200,000 troops in Shaanxi, and the people were in chaos. Sima Guang thought this was inappropriate and asked Han Qi, who was in charge of the military.
Han Qi said that he wanted to scare the enemy with a sudden increase of 200,000 troops. Sima Guang believed that this could only be a temporary deception, and the conscription of troops to guard the border during the Qingli period had already frightened the common people. Shi said that he would not use ordinary people to defend the border, but Sima Guang expressed disbelief. Within ten years, things turned out as Sima Guang expected.
Renzong (Zhao Zhen 1023- - 1063, the fourth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty) Baoyuan (1038 - 1040) junior high school Jinshi, Yingzong (Zhao Shu, 1064 - 10 Sixty-seven) The predecessor who succeeded to the throne was Shenzong (Zhao Xu, 1068-1085) who admonished the officials. Xi Ning (1068-1077) first paid homage to Hanlin Bachelor (this official was first established in the Tang Dynasty, equivalent to the emperor's secretary and advisor, involved in confidential affairs,
After the Song Dynasty, his power became lower and lower), Yushi Zhongcheng (official name, starting from the cycle, specialized after the Eastern Han Dynasty) He was a conservative in politics and stubbornly opposed Wang Anshi's reforms. Therefore, he asked himself to be appointed as the Yushitai of Xijing (chief of the Yushifu) and retired to Luoyang for fifteen years. , specializing in the compilation of Zizhi Tongjian
Zhe Zong (Zhao Xu, 1086-100) succeeded to the throne and served as Shangshu Zuopushe (yè) (Qin Shishe, later).
He was divided into left and right, that is, the prime minister and deputy prime minister). After taking office, he immediately abolished the new law. A few months later, he died. He was posthumously awarded the posthumous title of Grand Master Wen Guogong, posthumous title (shì) Wenzheng.
The work is collected in. "Sima Wenzhenggong Collection"
Sima Guang was diligent in his studies and devoted most of his energy to compiling "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" (it took 19 years since Yingzong Yeping). Three years
, from 1066 AD to the seventh year of Shenzong Yuanfeng, 1084 AD), he said in "Jin Zi Zhi Tong Jian Biao": "The day's power is insufficient, and then
In the night", "I put all my energy into this book".
"Zizhi Tongjian" is the largest chronicle in our country, with a total of 294 volumes, covering ancient and modern times, starting from Han, Zhao and Wei in the early Warring States Period
The three families were divided into the Jin Dynasty (403 BC), down to the Five Dynasties (Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou). In the late years, Zhao Kuangyin (yìn) (Taizu of the Song Dynasty) destroyed the Later Zhou Dynasty. Previously (AD 959), there were one thousand three hundred and sixty-two years. The author records the historical facts of these 1,362 years in sequence according to the era
with years and months as the longitude and historical facts as the latitude; the causes and consequences of major historical events are related to each All the connections in all aspects are clearly conveyed
so that readers can understand the development of historical facts at a glance.
"Zizhi Tongjian" draws on a wide range of materials. In addition to the "Ji Zhuan style" chronological history of the past dynasties (the so-called "official history"), it also uses a large number of "
Miscellaneous histories" and anthologies. , notes and other related works, examine the historical facts, abandon the "Fu Rui" and other magical materials, cut out the complex and simplify, select the essence and use the macro, first by "Contemporary Confucianism (well-informed scholars, today's historians)" ( Sima Guang's assistants) Liu Xun (fēn), Liu Shu, Fan Zuyu and others wrote it in sections, and then were edited and polished by Sima Guang. Therefore, the whole book reads as if it was written by one person, which is rare. Where there are self-contradictions, the text is concise, smooth and full of literary color.
The book was named and prefaced by Shenzong; in addition, "Tongjian Kao" was written by Sima Guang. Thirty volumes of "Yi" and thirty volumes of "Tongjian Catalog" for reference and review; Liu Shu also wrote "Tongjian Waiji" to record the history from Fu Xi to Zhou Dynasty. p>
The compilation of "Tongjian" provided a very valuable historical material for our country. It is another historical masterpiece of our country after "Historical Records"
However, as for its The purpose of writing, just like the title: "In view of the past, it is necessary to govern the country" is to enable future generations of rulers to learn from the experience and lessons of the rise and fall of the previous generation. Therefore, it focuses on politics and military affairs and lacks Records of social and economic changes
As far as the author is concerned, his orthodox ideas are very strong, which is very reflected in his "Chen Guang said" (see the historical commentary of "Tongjian"). Fully
He advocated that the legal system will never change. He once said: "The laws of the previous kings cannot be changed." The princes abandoned the "rites of the ancestors" and abolished the "laws of the ancestors". At the same time, he also regarded people's ideological activities, especially the political activities of the rulers, as the decisive factors in historical development. Of course, the point of view must be throughout "Tongjian", so when we read it, we have to pay attention to it.
There is another thing that shows that Sima Guang has a great military vision.
The Western Rong general Wei Mingshan planned to help the imperial court capture the enemy Liang Zuo. Sima Guang wrote a letter to object. He believed that Wei Mingshan's troops were insufficient and he might not be able to Liang Zuo.
Even if we succeed by luck and treat the symptoms but not the root cause, there will be another problem in the future. Moreover, if Wei Mingshan fails and defectes to us,
If he is not accepted, he will suddenly occupy the border town to survive and become us. The emperor did not listen to his opinions, and war broke out in the west.
Sima Guang was a conservative in politics, and had serious differences with Wang Anshi, who presided over the reform. He wrote several times to oppose the new law. He said: "A country with a new criminal law uses light codes, and a country with chaos uses heavy codes. This is to despise the world, not to change the law." "And governing the world is like treating a house
if it is broken, repair it. If it is not seriously damaged, there is no need to rebuild it."
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi, in terms of serving the country wholeheartedly , the two are consistent, but each has his own bias in terms of specific measures. Wang Anshi mainly focused on the financial and military problems at that time and solved the urgent needs through drastic economic and military reform measures.
Sima Guang believed that during the conservative period, emphasis should be placed on rectifying ethical principles to bind people's thoughts within the original system. Even if reforms were made, they would still be necessary. It's safe, because "To rebuild a house, you must have good craftsmen and good materials. Now there are neither. If you want to demolish the old house and build a new one, I'm afraid there won't even be a place to shelter from the rain."
Although Sima Guang's ideas are conservative, they are actually a reform strategy based on the "Song Dynasty". The deviations and improper employment of people in Wang Anshi's reform proved from the side that Sima Guang was still politically sophisticated and stable.
4. Compiling "Zizhi Tongjian"
Writing history is also a way for Sima Guang to govern the country. In 1071, Wang Anshi became prime minister. With different political views and difficulty in cooperation, Si
Ma Guang asked to be appointed as the left-behind censor in Xijing. He retired to Luoyang and specialized in studying history, hoping to write history. This book extracts the experience of governing the country from the rise and fall of history.
As early as the Jiayou period of Renzong (1056-1063 AD), when Sima Guang was serving as the official and lecturer of Tianzhang Pavilion, he saw that every room was filled with history books
, there are so many historical records that even a person could spend his entire life not being able to read them. So he gradually came up with the idea of ????writing a systematic and concise general history, so that people can understand the rise and fall of thousands of years of history. His idea won the approval and support of his good friend, historian Liu Shu.
In the first year of Emperor Yingzong's reign in the Song Dynasty (AD 1064), Sima Guang presented the twenty-five volumes of his historical book "Calendar Pictures" to Yingzong. Two years later, he presented it again
The eight-volume edition of "Tongzhi". After reading it, Yingzong was very satisfied and asked him to continue writing. He also issued an edict to set up a bookstore, provide expenses, and recruit more staff to specialize in writing work. Sima Guang was deeply inspired and convened famous historians at the time to discuss the purpose and outline of the book.
The work was divided into three parts: Liu Ban wrote the Han Dynasty part, Liu Shu wrote the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties part, Fan Zuyu wrote the part about the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties, which was finally summarized by Sima Guang and edited by his son Sima Kang.
After Shenzong came to the throne, he thought "Tongzhi" was easier to read and easier to learn from than other historical books, so he summoned Sima Guang, praised him highly, and gave the book the title "Tongzhi"
"Zi Zhi Tong Jian", saying that it "is qualified to govern the Tao in view of the past", and he personally wrote the preface to this book. Shenzong also awarded three thousand and four hundred volumes of Yingdi's old books to Sima Guang for reference. The pen, ink, paper, inkstones, food and accommodation required for writing the book were all provided by the state, which provided Sima Guang with advantages
The rich writing conditions also promoted the compilation and editing of this history book. In the seventh year of Shenzong Yuanfeng (AD 1084), the book was finally completed.
It took 19 years to revise this book.
"Zizhi Tongjian" is the first chronological general history in the history of our country, which records from the 23rd year of Zhou Martyrs (403 BC) to Zhou Xian after the Five Dynasties
The sixth year of De (AD 959), a total of one thousand three hundred and sixty-two years of history. The whole book has a total of two hundred and ninety-four volumes, and another thirty volumes, "Kaoyi
" thirty volumes. This book selects a wide range of materials. In addition to the well-founded official history, it also uses more than 320 miscellaneous books on unofficial history. The selection of historical materials is very strict and strives to be true. The content described in this book is indeed relatively detailed and credible, and has always been highly praised by historians. Moreover,
Tongjian's narrative is concise and to the point, its writing is vivid and fluent, and it is simple and concise. It can not only be read as a historical work, but some chapters can also be appreciated as
literary works.
The significance of "Zizhi Tongjian" has far exceeded Sima Guang's original intention of governing the country through history. It not only provides reference for rulers, but also provides guidance for the whole society
A wealth of knowledge. Wang Mingcheng, a scholar in the Qing Dynasty, said: "This is a book that is indispensable in the world and a book that scholars must read.
"Tong
Jian, like "Historical Records", has been called a historical treasure, widely circulated and educating the public. And researchers have also used it from generation to generation, making it a success
It is a specialized knowledge, namely "Tongjian Xue"
Of course, these are inseparable from Sima Guang's hard work, which he spent almost all his efforts in Luoyang. After finishing the book, he once
went to the emperor and said: "I am now as skinny as a stick, my eyes are dim, my teeth are gone, and my nerves are weak. What I just did can never be reversed
Just forget about yourself. I have spent all my energy on this book!" Sima Guang often forgot to eat and sleep while editing the book. Sometimes the family couldn't wait for him to come back
to have dinner, so he would send the meal to the bookstore and ask for it several times. He only ate it after being urged. The manuscript he revised every day was more than a foot long, and there was not a single cursive script on it. It was all in meticulous regular script. After the book was completed, the remaining manuscripts were piled up in Luoyang. He occupied two rooms, which shows how hard he worked for this wooden book
Sima Guang wrote many books in his life, including "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" and "Zi Zhi Tong Jian". Eighty volumes of "Tongjian Juyao Li", 20 volumes of "Ji Gu Lu", and six volumes of "Biao of Officials and Officials of the Dynasty". In addition, he also conducted research in literature, classics, philosophy and even medicine. Through research and writing, his main representative works include:
"Hanlin Poems", "Annotations on Ancient Literature", "Yisuo", "Annotations on Taixuan Jing", "Annotations on Yangtze", "Shuyi", "Mountain Travel Notes"
, "Xu Shizhi", "Medical Questions", "Liangshui Chronicles", "Lei Pian", "Sima Wenzhenggong Collection", etc.
5. Sima Xianggong
After "Zizhi Tongjian" was written, Sima Guangguan was promoted to a bachelor of Zizheng Palace. He lived in Luoyin for fifteen years, and everyone in the world believed that he was the real one.
p>For the right prime minister, the people respected him as Sima Xianggong, and the name Sima Junshi was known to all women and children. When Shenzong passed away, Sima Guang went to the funeral.
When the guards saw him, they were all surprised. Said: "This is Sima Xianggong." "Wherever he went, the people crowded the streets to welcome him, so that even the horses could not move forward. The people said to Sima Guang: "Don't return to Luoyang, stay to assist the emperor and save the people. "
By the time Zhezong came to the throne and the Empress Dowager came to power, Sima Guang was already a veteran of the four dynasties of Renzong, Yingzong, and Shenzong, and was quite prestigious. He suggested that
the Empress Dowager should open up her voice. , so thousands of people petitioned. At that time, people all over the world were waiting and hoping for political reform. But some people said: "The late emperor's policy cannot be changed within three years." "So, I only reformed some small things to stop people's mouths.
At this time, Sima Guang wrote a letter saying bluntly: "The method of the first emperor. A good thing cannot be changed even if it takes a hundred lifetimes. The system developed by Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing
has become a scourge to the world, and it should be changed as urgently as fighting fires and floods. Moreover, the Queen Mother changed the son's legal system as a mother, not the son changing the father's law. "In this way, everyone's opinions were unified. So, the Baojia Tuanjiao was abolished,
there was no more Baowu; the market quantity law was abolished, all the stored materials were sold, no interest was charged, and all debts owed were exempted Money and goods; Jingdong iron money and vegetable salt laws
restored their original systems. "
In his later years, Sima Guang was plagued by illness, but he would not live in peace until the new law was completely abolished. . So he wrote to Lu Gongzhu and said: "I entrust my body to the doctor and my family affairs to my son. Only the state affairs have not been entrusted to me. I will leave it to you today." So he wrote. Discussing the five major harms of the exemption law
ask the emperor to issue an edict to abolish it, and request the abolition of the Changping Division; the strategy for the border areas is mainly to make peace with Xirong; and also propose the establishment of ten subjects to recommend scholars
method. These suggestions were adopted by the court.
When Sima Guang was appointed as Shangshu Zuopushe and his servant, he abolished the Green Miao Law. The empress dowagers of the two palaces left Sima Guang to his own devices.
At that time, Sima Guang
had so much power and power that even envoys from Liao and Xixia were sure to inquire about Sima Guang's physical and daily life, and how their monarchs guarded the borders
The general said: "The Song Dynasty appointed Sima Guang as prime minister. Don't cause trouble easily and cause problems on the border."
Sima Guang could be said to be "dedicated to the court and die for himself". He dealt with various affairs despite being ill and worked day and night. Others advised him to take care of his health, but he said: "Life and death are determined by fate." When he was critically ill, he kept mumbling even though he lost consciousness. >
It is a major event related to the national economy and people's livelihood.
In the first year of Yuanyou (1086 AD), Sima Guang passed away at the age of sixty-eight. After the Empress Dowager heard the news, she and Zhe Zong went to express their condolences in person, and presented Sima Guang as Grand Master and Wen Guogong, with the posthumous title "Wenzheng" and a stele "Loyalty to the Pure Virtue". When people in the capital heard the bad news, they stopped work and went to pay homage; the folks in Lingnan Fengzhou also prepared to hold memorial ceremonies for their ancestors; portraits of Sima Guang were painted in the capital and surrounding areas to pay homage to their ancestors. Pray for it.
6. Final conclusion
Sima Guang lived a life of loyalty, filial piety, justice, frugality and integrity. He lived lawfully and acted politely. When he was in Luoyang, every time Sima Guang went back to his hometown in Xia County to visit the grave,
he would visit his brother Sima Dan. Sima Dan was nearly eighty years old. Sima Guang not only respected him like a father, but also took care of him like a baby.
Sima Guang never told lies in his life. When he evaluated himself, he said: "I have nothing extraordinary, but everything I have done in my life has a clear conscience?
All the people The people in Shaanzhou and Luoyang were inspired by his virtues because of their admiration and belief in him. Whenever he did something wrong, they would say, "Does Mr. Sima really not know the truth?" "
Sima Guang was honest and simple throughout his life, and did not like extravagance. History books record many short stories about him, which are passed down as good stories. Even his political rival Wang
An Shi They also admired his character and were willing to be his neighbor. It is said that after Sima Guang's wife died, the family had no money to hold a funeral, so his son Sima Kang and his relatives suggested borrowing some money to make the funeral grand. At one point, Sima Guang disagreed, and taught his son that frugality was the most important thing in life and that he should not borrow money easily. In the end, he pawned a piece of his land and had a hasty funeral. The so-called story of Sima Guang "burying his wife in a dignified place" has been circulated among the people.
Sima Guang's moral character, study and history have always been highly praised by people. His political achievements were often praised and criticized by people.
When the conservatives were in power, they praised his political achievements. Song Zhezong also pardoned Su Dongpo, a conservative Hanlin scholar, to write a Shinto inscription. Yangyang
Thousands of words are full of praise.
When the reformists were in power, Sima Guang not only had great political achievements, but was also listed as a treacherous prime minister. Tie Shou commented that "Gong Wen (the posthumous title of Sima Guang after his death) falsely accused the late emperor and abolished all his laws, so he should be punished." The imperial court not only took away all the titles, but also took away the objects in front of his tomb.
When Wang Anshi's students Zhang Chun and Cai Jing were in power, they tore down the monument in retaliation for Sima Guang and others' abolition of the new law.
A famous court official was included in the "Yuanyou traitor party" and wanted to erect a "traitor party monument" in the court and various states and counties. However, before the monument was erected, an unexpected thing happened. The stonemason Anmin. He said to Cai Jing: "The villain is a fool and does not know the purpose of erecting the monument. However, Sima Xianggong was praised throughout the country as an upright man, but now he is listed as a traitor to the party, which a villain cannot bear to do. Cai Jing was so angry that he wanted to punish him. Anmin was so frightened that he begged for mercy and cried: "A villain dare not disobey an adult's order." It's just that the villain has a request: when carving the name of the craftsman on the stele, don't sign the name of the villain Anmin, so as not to be infamy for thousands of years.
"Cai Jing thought about it carefully and realized that although Sima Guang was wrong, he was upright and enjoyed prestige after all, so he changed his mind and excluded Sima Guang from being a traitor.
It can be seen that , Sima Guang's personality was not only praised by the people, but also impressed by his opponents. In the feudal era, Sima Guang was the third saint of Confucius, ranking below Confucius and Mencius. Enjoying a match in the Confucius Temple. To this day, people still remember a "Mr. Sushui" in history who left a huge spiritual wealth to future generations.
Works
Early Summer in Guesthouse
——Sima Guang
The rain in April is clearing, and the weather in Nanshan is clear.
Updates. There are no catkins blowing due to the wind, only sunflowers are leaning toward the sun.
On October 18, the third year of Emperor Zhenzong’s reign (1019), a baby boy was born in the Guangshan County government office. , the baby's parents named him Guang. The baby was Sima Guang, a famous politician and historian in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Sima Guang, whose courtesy name was Junshi and whose nickname was Sushui. Mr. Sima Guang's ancestral home is Sushui Township, Xia County, Shanxi Province. According to the "Guangshan County Chronicle" of the Qing Dynasty, Sima Guang was five or six years old and wanted to peel off the skin of a green walnut, but he couldn't do it with soup. The female brother came to ask about the person who had taken off the walnut skin, and Guang said, "I took it off myself." "
When my father saw this, he laughed and said: "Young man, how can you make such sarcastic remarks? He didn't dare to make any slanderous remarks, he was as awe-inspiring as an adult. "The story of "Sima Guang broke the vat" is even more popular among people. A group of children were playing in the courtyard. One child accidentally fell into a vat filled with water. The other children saw this Terrified, Sima Guang picked up a stone and smashed the lower part of the tank. The water in the tank broke and the child was saved.
When Sima Guang was studying. He worked very hard, never let go of the scroll, recited morning and night, and showed his superhuman talent very early.
In the first year of Baoyuan (1038), the 20-year-old Sima Guang passed the Jinshi examination and was awarded the Chinese imperial examination. Sima Guang entered the official career from then on. For 48 years, he became a minister, Zuopushe, and a minister, and later served as prime minister. He put forward many ideas for governing the country and emphasized the importance of winning the hearts of the people. , to know people well and be responsible for their duties, to accept advice with an open mind, to advocate pragmatism, and to oppose exaggeration. After becoming prime minister, he "dedicated himself to the affairs of the people, worked hard day and night, and wanted to die for the world
" .
In order to understand the past and learn from the present, Sima Guang determined to compile ancient historical records and compile a complete, systematic and concise general history.
He first wrote "Li Nian Tu". 5 volumes, based on "Li Nian Tu", were written into 8 volumes of "Tongzhi". In the fourth year of Zhiping (1067), Sima Guang read "Tongzhi" to Song Shenzong who had just ascended the throne. Because "in view of the past, he is qualified to govern the Tao", he gave it the name "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" and wrote a preface to it
Sima Guang spent 30 years of hard work and finally compiled King Weilie of the Last Zhou Dynasty. (403 BC), ending in the sixth year of Emperor Xiande of the Later Zhou Dynasty (859
), the masterpiece "Zizhi Tongjian" spans 1362 years of history. This book contains rich information and historical materials. The detailed verification of authenticity created a new system of historiography. It also provided a clear way to control chaos, defended Confucianism and avoided Buddhism, and opposed superstition. It also provided successful experience for future generations to compile history, and provided Chinese historiography with a successful experience.
Two new genres were born: Chronicle style and Gangmu style. Sima Guang once said, "I devoted all my energy to this book." When the book was completed, Sima Guang
"Exhausted, with few teeth left"
Sima Guang and the advocates of the new law were both political enemies and enemies. During the reform struggle, although they were political enemies, they treated each other in a friendly and courteous manner
Be fair and aboveboard when encountering others, and never hurt them secretly. Sima Guang wrote a lot in his life, including 16 kinds and 457 volumes in "Sikuquanshu".
In life, Sima Guang wrote a lot. To maintain frugality, "I will wear clothes to protect myself from the cold and eat enough food to fill my stomach, and I will not dare to suffer from dirt and evil just to correct my reputation."
When he was dying, he also asked his family to cover his body with a quilt with the "Buddhist Inscription" written on it. Zhe Zongyuan On September 1, the first year of his reign, Sima Guang died of illness in Tokyo (now Kaifeng) at the age of 68. The emperor gave the Grand Master Wen Guogong, "Wen Zheng", a stele of "loyalty to the Qing Dynasty and pure virtue", and ordered the world and the land to "paint (its) image
to worship him, and to celebrate his food and drink." There are many footprints commemorating Sima Guang in Guangshan, "Sima Wen Gong Temple" in Liuqingshan, "Yiguan Tomb
" on the north bank of Bay Lake, as well as "Sima Well", "Yangcui Pavilion" and " Sushui Academy".