original text
In the first year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong summoned courtiers and said, "Since ancient times, emperors have always been obedient to things. Yesterday, Dayu used a lot of manpower to cut Jiusan, even Jiujiang, but the complainer (dú) wanted something, and many people had reasons. Qin Shihuang built a palace, but many people slandered the people in order to favor their selfish desires and not associate with the public. The ancients said,' It only harms and does no good.' See what you want, so that people will not be confused. If you know that you can see what you want, your heart will be confused. It's like carving a vessel and playing with pearls and jade. If it is arrogant and extravagant, it can stand in danger. Since the first room, car clothes, weddings and funerals, and quasi-product ranks are not suitable for use after the death of the maharaja, they should all be banned. "In the past 20 years, the folk customs are simple, the clothes are not gorgeous, the money is rich, and there is no disadvantage of hunger and cold.
In the second year of Zhenguan, Gongqing said, "According to the ceremony, summer and summer can be too empty. Before the summer is over, Qiu Lin will begin, and the palace will become shabby and damp. Please set up a pavilion to live in. " Emperor Taizong said, "I am sick with Qi, how can I get wet?" If you ask, it will cost a lot of money. Yesterday, China people will set up a platform, but cherish the property of ten families. I can't grasp the virtues of the Han emperor. How can I be a parent if I spend them? "As for repeated requests, they are not allowed.
In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong summoned courtiers and said, "It is the emperor's wish to worship the palace and enjoy the pool terrace, but the people don't want to. What the emperor wants is free, but what the people don't want is harmful. Confucius said:' If there is one sentence that can be done for a lifetime, it is forgiveness! Do to others what you don't want them to do to you.' No matter how hard you try, you can't do it for the people. I respect me as the emperor, and I am rich in the world. I am sincere about my own affairs. If the people don't want me, I can let go. Wei Zhi said, "Your Majesty has pity on the people. He obeys others in every way. I heard that' those who want to follow others prosper and those who enjoy themselves die'. Emperor Yang Di's ambition is insatiable, but he is extravagant. Every time his company makes a sacrifice, he will be severely punished. What is good in the world, what is good in the world, what is bad in the world, what is infinite in competition and what is ruined. This is not circulated in books, but also seen by your majesty. There was no way, so your majesty took its place. If your majesty thinks it's enough, today is enough. If you feel that it is not enough, more than 10,000 times is not enough. " Emperor Taizong said, "This CCBA is very good! If it's not public, how can I smell this? "
(Excerpted from Jason Wu's "Zhenguan Politicians on Thrift", slightly abridged)
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In the first year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers of his attendants: "Since ancient times, all emperors have built and built to conform to the people's hearts. When Dayu dug Jiusan and dredged Jiujiang. People use a lot of manpower without complaint because people want to do so, and they share everything for everyone. Qin Shihuang built a palace, and the people criticized him more because he didn't share everything with everyone to satisfy his own selfish desires. The ancients said,' Don't do useless things to harm useful things'. Don't seek things to satisfy your selfish desires, so that people's hearts will not be chaotic. As we all know, when you see something that can satisfy your selfish desires, your heart will be confused. As for elaborate utensils, jewels, jade articles and costumes, if we continue to be extravagant, the day of national peril will come soon. From the following princes, the residence, car clothes, weddings and funerals must be based on the level, and those who should not take them should be banned. " In this way, in the past 20 years, social customs have advocated simplicity, no gorgeous clothes, no money, no hunger and cold.
In the second year of Zhenguan, the minister said, "According to the Book of Rites, you can live in a pavilion on the stage in late summer and January. Now the summer has not subsided, the autumn rain has just begun, and the palace is low and wet. Please build a pavilion to live in. " Emperor Taizong said, "I have bad breath. How can I live in a low and humid place? If you agree to play invitation, you will spend a lot of money. In the past, Emperor Wen of Han was going to build terraces because he didn't want to spend the money equivalent to 10 family property. My virtue is not comparable to that of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, and the construction cost is higher than that of him. As the parents of the people, is this what the monarch should do? " The ministers pleaded repeatedly, but Emperor Taizong never agreed.
In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers of the attendants: "The palaces and halls are magnificent and luxuriously decorated, and the ponds and terraces are what the emperor wants, but the people don't want to see and enjoy them; The emperor wanted this for pleasure, and the people didn't want it because they were tired. Confucius said:' There is a saying that can be pursued for life, and that is forgiveness! Remember, don't impose on others what you don't want to do. Things that are bitter and tiring should not be imposed on the people. I respect myself as an emperor and am rich in the world. I can really control myself with my words. If people don't want to do that, they must conform to their feelings. "Wei Zhi said," Your Majesty loves the people, and he often restrains himself and conforms to people's feelings. I have heard:' Those who conform to the people's will prosper, and those who rely on the people to win their own happiness will die. Emperor Yang Di was insatiable and keen on luxury. Every time the competent authorities offer sacrifices, they will be severely punished if they are slightly dissatisfied. The things you like above will definitely be done badly below, and everyone will be eager to indulge in lewdness and will soon die. This is not written in the book, but the fact witnessed by your majesty. It was because he had no choice that he was asked by his majesty to replace him on the last day. If your majesty thinks he has satisfied his desires, he is not only satisfied today, but he will be 10 thousand times more dissatisfied if he thinks he is not satisfied. "Emperor Taizong said," You play very well! If it weren't for you, how could I hear these words? "