Famous Prime Ministers---Zhang Shuo
When people today talk about the famous Prime Ministers of the Tang Dynasty, there is Fang Du in the front, Yao and Song in the back, and Zhang Jiuling, who is the best in the world in demeanor and appearance. Even the powerful prime minister Li Linfu, who was a treacherous and treacherous man who ruined the country, was also well-known. However, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Shuo, who was both a general and a prime minister and was a general and a prime minister, was not as famous as the above mentioned ones. It's quite unfair. Let's talk a few words about this Zhang Shuo.
Zhang Shuo, also known as Daoji, said that his family lived in the east of Hedong for a long time. He was born in Luoyang. If you enter the court and become an official, you will be skillful in handling affairs, and the people will praise you. Wen Ze was a leader in the literary world of the Tang Dynasty. He flourished the literary spirit of the Tang Dynasty and had excellent works of political commentary and poetry handed down to the world.
Zhang Yao was born in a family of minor officials. He was quick and eager to learn when he was young, and had extraordinary talents. During the Wu Zhou Dynasty, he took the examination and ranked first in policy theory and entered the official position. After compiling "Sanjiao Zhuying", he was moved to the position of Youshi and Neishi, and he was also aware of meritorious service and tribute affairs. Later, he was promoted to Fengge Sheren. He was exiled to Lingnan because he was unwilling to accept Zhang's coercion and inducement in the case where Zhang Changzong framed Wei Yuanzhong for treason, did not give perjury, and insisted on his conscience to defend Wei. When Zhongzong came to the court, he promoted Zhang Shuo to the rank of Wailang, a member of the Ministry of War. Later, he was promoted to the minister of the Ministry of War, and he was added as a bachelor of Hongwenguan.
Ruizong was restored to power, and Zhang Shuo was appointed as the minister of Zhongshu and the governor of Yong. In the case of King Qiao Li Chongfu's rebellion and rebellion, Zhang Shuo showed outstanding ability. Others were delayed for a long time and found it difficult to finalize the case. After he took over, he quickly made a police appearance, severely punished the mastermind, and released the others without charge. Ruizhong Longxin was delighted, and he was deeply impressed by his courage and ability to do many things. Therefore, he became a member of Tong Zhongshu's family and supervised the compilation of national history. In the power struggle between Li Longji and Princess Taiping, he did not follow the trend and was coveted by Taiping. He was demoted to Zuocheng, the minister, and was sent to stay in the Eastern Capital. When Li Longji's safety was hanging by a thread, he made a decisive decision and took a preemptive strike, pacifying the Taiping forces overnight. Zhang Shuo also worshiped as Zhongshu Ling for his merit and was granted the title of Duke of Yan.
Zhang Shuo and Yao Chong did not get along, and there were many rumors and obstacles in Xuanzong's decision to let Yao Chong return to Beijing to serve as prime minister. However, Xuanzong knew Yao Chong's abilities very well and his attitude was unswerving. Finally, Yao Chong was appointed Minister of the Ministry of War and Tong Zhongshu's subordinate Ping Zhangshi. Zhang Shuo was very unhappy and went to Prince Qi's house to complain. Yao Chong reported him and was demoted to the governor of Xiangzhou and appointed as the envoy of Hebei Province. Hou Qujing wrote a poem to Su F, the son of an old friend and one of the prime ministers at that time. Su cried when he read the poem. He talked about Zhang Shuo to Xuanzong and thought that it was too harsh and merciless to treat Zhang Shuo, a great hero. Xuanzong also felt this and moved Zhang to be the governor of Jingzhou. Soon he was moved to the post of General You Yulin, and also the governor of Youzhou, where he inspected the school. In order to resolve the conflict between the Tang Dynasty and the Khitan, Ren Zhong came up with many practical and effective strategies to strengthen border defense. In the eighth year of Kaiyuan, the Turks Ba Yigu and the Tongluo tribes were frightened and wanted to rebel because Wang Mi, the ambassador of Shuofang, reported that the former Turks had surrendered to seize the Turks and carried out executions. Congqi and Zhijie went to various departments to appease them, and a great chaos was eliminated invisible. In the ninth year of Kaiyuan, he was appointed Minister of the Ministry of War and Tong Zhongshu's subordinate Ping Zhangshi due to the quelling the rebellion of Kang Daibin, the surrendered general of the Turks. In the tenth year of Kaiyuan (722), Zhang Shuo was ordered to serve as the ambassador of Shuofang Jiedu, and Pingkang treated his guests. The Yuanzi rebellion occurred in Fangqukang, Qingzhou. After the rebellion was suppressed, Zhang Shuo wrote to Xuanzong requesting that the army be reduced by 200,000 and reform the guards' troops. In the eleventh year of Kaiyuan, Zhang Shuo was appointed Zhongshu Ling and became the first prime minister. During his term of office, the political system was reformed, the political affairs hall was changed to be under the authority of Zhongshu, and power was concentrated in the prime minister.
When the economy was prosperous and the external affairs were stable, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty wanted to seek a long-lasting reputation through literary governance, so he established Lizheng Academy (later changed to Jixian Hall Academy) to gather literary scholars or book repairers. Or serve as a lecturer, with Zhang Shuo as the envoy to compile books and take charge of the affairs. While presiding over the academy, Zhang Shuo recruited talented bachelors from all over the world and supported the underachievers, such as Wei Shu, Zhang Jiuling, Xu Jingxian, Yuan Hui, Zhao Dongxi, Sun Ti, Wang Han, etc.
Zhang Shuo is a man of quick thinking, brilliant writing and rich writings. Later generations collected his poems, poems, memorials, inscriptions and epitaphs, forming a collection of 30 volumes.
No one is perfect, and no gold is pure. Zhang said that he is only a capable minister, not a sage, and it is inevitable that beautiful jade will have flaws.
Zhang said that he had great talents and good strategies, and was elegant in literature. He supported the emperor in formulating general strategies, and provided orders to hundreds of officials. He controlled the country and cared for the people. In terms of merit and talent, he is worthy of being a prime minister in the prosperous Tang Dynasty and a leader in the literary world. But he has a violent temper and likes to scold his colleagues without mercy. Offend a lot of people. There is also the stain of accepting bribes, and it is inevitable that there will be actions to fight for power, and it is evil to judge people based on their personal likes and dislikes. After paying homage to the prime minister for the last time, he gradually became zealous for power, and had the attitude of joining the party and fighting against those who were different. In the end, he was overthrown by Yu Wenrong, Cui Yinfu, Li Linfu, etc. in the power struggle, and was imprisoned by Xuanzong. He became a bachelor of Jixian Palace, but was no longer allowed to participate in politics. After the 16th year of Kaiyuan, Zhang Shuo mainly engaged in literary and historical work. At the end of the 18th year of Kaiyuan, he died of illness.
Zhang said that it was not lucky to ascend to the imperial court with an outstanding literary work. However, his official career was bumpy. He was demoted twice and served as prime minister three times. If he leaves the town and becomes a general, he will make contributions to border defense, quell rebellions, and stabilize the country. If he enters the court to assist in government, his policies will be measured, his abilities will be extraordinary, and he will be transferred well. Literary talents and Wu Tao were all extraordinary people. A generation of literary masters opened up the atmosphere of literary governance in the Tang Dynasty and led the trend of poetry in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Although slightly inferior to Fang Du, he is no inferior to Yao Song. I think this is the most fair evaluation of Zhang Shuo.
It’s just a family’s opinion, and I hope you’ll forgive me for any mistakes I make. Commenting on people and events is only for personal liking. Although I admire the style and immortal achievements of the ancients, it is difficult to practice them today. Is it possible for ordinary people to know the past to predict the present, and to read history to understand things? I call myself a dragon in Zhongzhou, but it is difficult to fly in the sky, and to travel around the world, it is difficult to make a roar. Ridiculous. When the book is hidden, in a place of solitude, there is only sadness. Everyone laughs at the crazy words!