Sima Guang was diligent and eager to learn, and devoted most of his life to compiling Zi Tong Zhi Jian (a total of 19 years, from the third year of Yingzong Yeping to the seventh year of Zongshen Yuanfeng, 1084). In Zi Zhi Tong Jian, he said: "Day is insufficient, followed by night", "This book is full of energy".
Zi Jian is the largest chronicle in China, with 294 volumes, which runs through ancient times and modern times. It started in the early Warring States when Korea, Zhao and Wei were divided into Jin Dynasty (403 BC) and ended in the last years of the Five Dynasties (the Later Liang Dynasty, the Later Tang Dynasty, the Later Jin Dynasty, the Later Han Dynasty and the Later Zhou Dynasty) (yìn) (before next week). The author recorded the historical facts of this year 1362 in chronological order, taking the year and month as the longitude and the historical facts as the latitude. The cause and effect of major historical events are clearly explained, so that readers can see the development of historical facts at a glance.
Purple tongzhi sword has a wide range of materials. In addition to biographical history (so-called "official history"), a large number of miscellaneous histories, anthologies, notes and other related works are used to textual research historical facts, and supernatural materials such as "Fu Rui" are abandoned, and the complexity is simplified, from macro to essence.
This book is named and prefaced by God. In addition, Sima Guang also compiled 30 volumes of Textual Research on General Mirror and 30 volumes of Catalogue of General Mirror for reference and review. Liu Shu also wrote A Biography as a Mirror, which recorded the history from East Xi to Zhou Dynasty.
The compilation of Tongjian provides very valuable historical materials for our country, and it is another historical masterpiece after Shiji. But as far as the purpose of its compilation is concerned, as the title says, "In view of the past, resources should be used to govern the road." In order to enable future generations of rulers to learn from the experience and lessons of the rise and fall of the previous generation, they focused on politics and military affairs, but lacked records of social and economic changes.
As far as the author is concerned, his orthodoxy is very strong, which is fully reflected in his "Chen Guang Yue" (see the historical review of Tong Jian). He maintains that the legal system will never change. He once said: "the law of the former king cannot be changed"; In his view, Wei Liede, the king of Zhou Dynasty, appointed Wei Si, a doctor of the Jin Dynasty, as a vassal, which was an abandonment of "the ceremony of the former king" and "the law of the ancestors". At the same time, he also regarded people's ideological activities, especially the political activities of rulers, as a decisive factor in historical development. Of course, these views must run through the mirror, so we can't help but pay attention when reading.
Ma guang
Sima Guang was a famous politician and great historian in the Northern Song Dynasty. He is the editor of China's first chronological general history Zi Tongzhi Jian. Sima Guang is gentle, humble and upright, and his personality under Confucian education is exemplary and has always been admired by people.
First, Sima Guang smashed the cylinder.
Sima Guang, whose name is Junshi, was born in Sushui Village, Xiaxian County, Shaanxi Province (now Xiaxian County, Shanxi Province) in the Northern Song Dynasty, and was known as Mr. Sushui in the world.
Sima Guang was born in November of the third year of Tianxi in Song Zhenzong (A.D. 10 19). At that time, his father Sima Chi was the magistrate of Guangshan County in Gwangju, so he was named "Guang". Sima Guang's family has been an official for generations, and his father Sima Chi later became an official to the Ministry of War, a doctor and a celestial pavilion, and has always enjoyed a high reputation for being honest and kind.
Influenced by his father, Sima Guang was smart and studious since childhood. According to historical records, Sima Guang likes reading Zuo Zhuan very much, and often "never stops reading books, never knowing hunger and thirst." At the age of seven, he was able to recite Zuo Zhuan skillfully, and he could clearly tell the historical outline of more than 200 years, indicating that he had a very strong interest in history since he was a child.
In addition, there is another thing that makes Xiao Sima Guang famous in Kyushu. Once, he and his friends were playing in the backyard. There is a big water tank in the yard. A child climbed to the edge of the tank and accidentally fell into the tank factory. The water tank is very deep, and it seems that the child is going to have no roof. When other children saw that something was wrong, they cried and cried in fear and ran outside to ask adults for help. Sima Guang, however, used his quick wits to pick up a big stone from the ground and hit it hard at the water tank. "bang!" The water tank was broken, the water in the tank came out, and the child who was submerged in the water was saved. Xiao Sima Guang was calm when he was in trouble, and he was like an adult since he was a child. This is the story of "Sima Guang smashing a jar" that has been passed down to this day. This accidental event made Xiao Sima Guang famous, and people in Tokyo and Luoyang painted it and spread it widely.
Second, fame and fortune get early.
In the early years of Baoyuan in Song Renzong, Sima Guang, who was only 20 years old, won the first place in the Jinshi examination and succeeded early. However, he was not complacent, but boldly put forward: "When a saint is alive, he must do righteousness and show others with virtue, instead of promoting evil with fame." This sentence reflects that young Sima Guang does not seek fame, but is determined to make contributions with benevolence and become a saint. Since then, he has been working hard in this direction.
Sima Guang has always been simple and thrifty, and doesn't like extravagant and flashy things. After entering the Jinshi examination, the emperor gave a wedding banquet, and he was the only one who didn't wear red flowers at the banquet. His companion said to him, "this is a gift from the holy family. You can't go against your orders." Only then did he insert a flower. In his later years, this matter was written into family instructions by Sima Guang, and his son Sima Kang was educated to pay attention to thrift.
In addition, Sima Guang is especially filial to his parents. When he was appointed Feng, his father was an official in Hangzhou, so he asked for a new judge in Suzhou so that he could be closer to his father and support his parents.
Sima Guang is still a sentient and righteous person. When he was the chief judge of Bingzhou, Xixia people often invaded here, which became a local disaster. So Sima Guang suggested to Pang Ji, "Build two castles to control the Xixia people, and then recruit people to farm here." Pang took his advice and sent Guo En to deal with this matter. However, Guo En is a stupid man. He led the troops to cross the river overnight. He was wiped out by the enemy because he didn't pay attention to defense. Ponzi was dismissed for this matter. Sima Guang felt very sorry. He wrote to the court three times to blame himself and asked to resign, but he was not allowed. After Pang Ji's death, Sima Guang worshipped his wife as his mother and raised Pang Ji's son like his own brother. At that time, people agreed that Sima Guang was a moral man.
Third, practical application.
Inner page of purple tongzhi sword
After entering the official career, Sima Guang still devoted himself to studying and tried to make the past serve the present. He is familiar with music, calendar, astronomy and mathematics, especially devoted to the study of Confucian classics and history.
At that time, it was nearly a hundred years since the founding of the Northern Song Dynasty, and there were many crises. Sima Guang has a strong Confucian thought. He participated in politics with a positive attitude and worked hard to save the country.
1 loyal ministers speak out
Sima Guang's personality is straightforward, and he can also adhere to principles in political activities and actively implement decision-making strategies that are beneficial to the country. In the struggle of recommending sages and denouncing traitors, he also dared to go against the dragon's face, preferring to die directly, regardless of personal safety when arguing with the emperor in the court.
At the beginning of Injong's illness, the heir to the throne had not yet been determined. Fearing that mentioning the succession would violate the taboo of the sick emperor, the giant kept his mouth shut. Sima Guang mentioned this matter three times when he was a general in Bing before, and this time he told Renzong face to face. Renzong didn't criticize him, but he still delayed writing. Unbearable, Sima Guang wrote: "The advice I gave you in the past should be implemented immediately, but now there is no voice. There must be a villain who says that your majesty is in the prime of life. Why did you do such an unlucky thing at once? " "Those young people have no foresight, they are just anxious to have a prince close to them as their heir. There are also disasters such as' setting the country old' and' the son of heaven'. Injong was greatly moved after reading it, and soon made Yingzong a prince.
Yingzong is not Injong's own son, but an imperial clan. Sima Guang expected that after he succeeded to the throne, he would definitely pursue his biological parents. Later, Yingzong really asked ministers to discuss what kind of courtesy should be given to his biological father, but no one dared to speak.
Sima Guang wrote a letter saying, "The son is the heir, so don't be afraid of being close to relatives." King Pu should be called "Bo Huang" by convention. This opinion is different from that of the minister in power. Six people in Yushitai argued and were all dismissed. Sima Guang interceded for them, and without any favor, he asked to be demoted with them.
In his political career, Sima Guang always adhered to this principle and was called "the minister of the country". Song Shenzong also said with emotion: "If people like Sima Guang are always by my side, I can stop making mistakes."
2. Think big and be far-sighted
Sima Guang often writes to state his ideas of governing the country, and generally regards talent, courtesy, benevolence and trust as the fundamental measures to ensure the country. He once said that there are three keys to cultivating the mind: benevolence, wisdom and soldiers; There are also three creeds in governing the country: making good use of people, rewarding meritorious service and punishing guilty. Sima Guang's thought was complete and had certain positive significance at that time.
The imperial court issued a letter to recruit 200,000 soldiers in Shaanxi, and the people's hearts were in chaos. Sima Guang thought the move was inappropriate, so he asked the Korean chair in charge of the military for instructions.
Han Qi said he wanted to send 200,000 troops suddenly to scare the enemy. Sima Guang thinks this can only be a temporary deception. Moreover, in the Qing dynasty, the people were already frightened by the conscription system and guarding the border. Han Yi said that ordinary people would not be used to guard the border, but Sima Guang expressed disbelief. Within ten years, things were as Sima Guang expected.
Kaifeng Long Ting, former site of Song and Jin Palace.
Another point shows that Sima Guang has a military vision.
Xirong will send famous mountains to help the imperial court catch the enemy. Sima guang wrote an article against it. He thinks that the strength of famous mountains is insufficient and may be unforgivable. Even if you win by luck, if you treat the symptoms rather than the root cause, there will be another forgiveness in the future. Moreover, if the famous mountain fails, it will not be accepted to come to us again, and the sudden occupation of the border town for survival at the end of the road will become our disaster.
The emperor didn't listen to his advice, and since then, smoke has been everywhere in the west.
Sima Guang is an old school in politics. He had serious differences with Wang Anshi, who presided over the reform, and repeatedly wrote against the new law. He said: "In criminal law, newly-built countries use light codes, while chaotic countries use heavy codes. This is to belittle the world, not to change the law.
"And governing the world is like treating a house. If it breaks, fix it. If the damage is not serious, there is no need to rebuild. "
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi, as far as wholeheartedly serving the country is concerned, are consistent, but each has its own bias in specific measures. Wang Anshi mainly focused on the financial and military problems at that time and solved the urgent need through drastic economic and military reform measures. Sima Guang, on the other hand, believes that during the persistence period, people's thoughts should be confined to the original system through the rectification of ethical norms. Even if it is rebuilt, it must be safe, because "to rebuild a house, there must be good craftsmen and excellent materials, and now there is neither." If we want to tear down the old house and build a new one, I'm afraid there will be no place to shelter us from the wind and rain. "
Although Sima Guang's idea is conservative, it is actually a reform strategy based on "Song". The deviation and improper employment in Wang Anshi's political reform proved that Sima Guang was politically sophisticated and steady.
Fourth, write a "mirror"
Statue of Song Renzong
Writing history is also a way for Sima Guang to govern the country politically. 107 1 year, Wang Anshi became prime minister. In the case of different political views and difficulties in cooperation, Sima Guang requested to stay at the National History Desk in Xijing and retreat to Luoyang to study history, hoping to extract the experience of governing the country from the ups and downs of history by compiling historical books.
As early as in the reign of Emperor Jiayou of Injong (A.D. 1056- 1063), when Sima Guang served as an assistant lecturer in the service system of Tianzhangge, he saw that every room in the world was full of history books, and even if a person was poor all his life, he could not see it. So he gradually had the idea of writing a systematic and concise general history, so that people can understand the ups and downs of thousands of years of history after reading it. His idea won the approval and support of his good friend and historian Liu Shu.
In the first year of Song Yingzong Zhiping (A.D. 1064), Sima Guang presented twenty-five volumes of his own history book "Li Tu" to Yingzong, and eight volumes of Tongzhi were presented two years later. Yingzong was very satisfied after reading it, and asked him to continue writing, and wrote a book to set up a bookstore to supply expenses, supplement personnel and specialize in writing. Inspired by this, Sima Guang called the famous historians at that time to discuss the purpose and outline of the book, and divided the book among Liu Ban, Liu Shu, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Fan Zuyu and Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties. Finally, Sima Guang compiled his books, and his son Sima Kang was a proofreader.
After Zong Shen acceded to the throne, he thought Tongzhi was easier to read and learn from than other historical books, so he summoned Sima Guang and praised it greatly, and gave it the title "Learning from the past", calling it "the capital to learn from the Tao" and personally prefaced the book. Zongshen also presented 3,400 old books of Indy to Sima Guang for reference. The expenses for writing a book, such as pens, ink, paper, inkstone, food and lodging, were all provided by the state, which provided favorable conditions for Sima Guang to write a book and promoted the compilation and revision of this history book. By the seventh year of Yuanfeng (A.D. 1084), the book was finally finished, and it was revised before and after 19 years.
"Zi Jian" is the first chronological general history in the history of China, covering a period of 1362 from the twenty-third year of the martyrs of Zhou Dynasty (403 BC) to the sixth year of Zhou Xiande (959 AD). There are 294 volumes in the book, and there are 30 volumes and 30 volumes for textual research. There are many materials to choose from in this book. In addition to the official history, more than 320 kinds of unofficial history miscellaneous books are used, and the selection of materials is very strict, striving for truth. The content described in this book is indeed more detailed and credible, and it has always been respected by historians. Moreover, Tong Jian is concise, vivid, fluent and concise, which can be read as both a historical work and a literary work.
The writing significance of Tong Jian has gone far beyond Sima Guang's original intention of writing history to govern the country. It not only provides reference for rulers, but also provides rich knowledge for the whole society. Wang Mingcheng, a scholar in Qing Dynasty, said: "This book is indispensable between heaven and earth, and it is also a must-read book for scholars." Tong Jian, like Historical Records, is called a historical treasure, which is widely circulated and enlightens the public. And researchers have been handed down from generation to generation, making it a special knowledge, that is, "universal mirror."
Of course, all this is inseparable from Sima Guang's painstaking efforts. During his fifteen years in Luoyang, he almost exhausted all his efforts. After writing the book, he went to the emperor's desk and said, "I'm all skin and bones, my eyes are dim, my teeth have fallen out, and my nerves are weak." I just turned around and forgot what I had just done. " I spent all my energy on this book! "Sima Guang often forgets to eat and sleep in order to compile books. Sometimes the family can't wait for him to come back for dinner, so they send the meal to the bookstore and have to rush it several times before eating. The manuscript he revises every day is more than ten feet long, and there is not a cursive script on it. It is meticulous regular script. After the completion of the book, only the remnants preserved in Luoyang filled two rooms, which shows how much effort he has devoted to this wooden book.
Sima Guang wrote a lot in his life, including Zi Tongzhi Jian, Tong Jian Li, 80 volumes, Ji Gu Lu, 20 volumes and Guan Bai Gong Qing Biao, 6 volumes. In addition, he has research and writings in literature, Confucian classics, philosophy and even medicine. His main representative works are Hanlin Shihua, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi, Shuowen Jiezi and so on.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) Sima Xianggong
After Zi Tong Zhi Jian was written, Sima Guang was promoted to a bachelor's degree in Zi Zheng Dian. He has lived in Luo Yin for 15 years, and everyone in the world thinks he is the real prime minister. The people all respect him as Sima Xianggong, and the name Sima Junshi is well known to women and children. When Zongshen died, Sima Guang went to the funeral. When the guards saw it, they all said, "This is Sima Xianggong." Wherever he goes, people welcome him on both sides of the street, so that the horse can't move forward. The people said to Sima Guang, "Don't go back to Luoyang, stay and help the son of heaven and save the people."
By the time Zhezong ascended the throne and Empress Dowager Tai came to power, Sima Guang was already a veteran of the four dynasties who had experienced Renzong, Yingzong and Zongshen, and he was quite prestigious. He advised the Queen Mother to speak freely, so thousands of people wrote letters and told stories. At that time, people all over the world were watching, hoping to innovate politics. However, some people said, "The policy of the first emperor cannot be changed within three years." As a result, only a few small things have been reformed to block people's mouths.
At this point, Sima Guang wrote bluntly: "The law of the first emperor. Well, even eternity can't change it. The system formulated by Wang Anshi and Lv Huiqing has become a worldwide scourge, which should be changed as urgently as fire fighting and flood fighting. Moreover, Empress Dowager Tai changed her son's laws and regulations as a mother, not her son changed his father's laws and regulations. " Only in this way can we unify our opinions. Therefore, the Baojia clique was abolished and the Baowu was not established. Abolish the market measurement method, sell all the stored materials without interest, and exempt the arrears; JD。 COM's iron money and vegetable salt laws have restored the original system. "
Sima Guang was ill in his later years, and he will die unsatisfied unless the new law is completely abolished. So he wrote to Lv Gongzhu and said, "I entrusted my body to the doctor, my family to my son, and only national affairs were not entrusted. I will give it to you today. " So I wrote a letter about the five evils of the immunity law, asking the emperor to abolish it and asking for the abolition of Changping's promotion; The border region strategy is mainly to make peace with Xirong; It is also suggested to establish a ten-subject recommended teacher law. The court adopted these suggestions.
Sima guang abolished the young crops law when he was the left assistant minister of Shangshu. Empress Dowager Miyako allowed Sima Guang to act. At that time, Sima Guang had outstanding achievements and boundless power. Even the envoys sent by Liao and Xixia had to ask about Sima Guang's physical life. Their monarch said to the generals guarding the border, "Sima Guang was the prime minister of the Song Dynasty. Don't make trouble and have problems at the border easily."
Sima Guang can be described as "doing his best and dying". He handles all kinds of affairs with illness and works day and night. Others advised him to pay attention to his health, but he said, "Life and death are life." When he died, he was unconscious and kept talking nonsense. It was all about the national economy and people's livelihood.
In the first year of Yuan You (AD 1086), Sima Guang died at the age of 68. Upon hearing the news, Empress Dowager Tai personally went to offer condolences with Zhezong, and posthumously awarded Sima Guang's posts of Taifu and Wen Guogong, with the titles of "Zheng Wen" and "Loyalty, Purity and Refinement". People in Beijing stopped their work and went to mourn when they heard the bad news. The villagers in Fengzhou, Lingnan are also preparing to worship their ancestors; Sima Guang's portrait was painted in and around the capital to worship his ancestors, so we must pray for him when eating.
Sixth, the final conclusion
Sima Guang was loyal, filial and righteous all his life. He lives in peace, has laws and behaves politely. When Sima Guang was in Luoyang, he went to see his brother Sima Dan every time he went back to his hometown in Xiaxian to visit the grave. Sima nian is nearly eighty. Sima Guang not only respects him like a father, but also takes care of him like a baby.
Sima Guang never told a lie in his life. He said of himself, "I have nothing extraordinary, but I have a clear conscience about what I have done in my life? All people admire and believe him. People in Luoyang, Shaanxi Province are all influenced by his virtue. When they did something wrong, they said, "Does Sima Jun really know? "
Sima Guang lived a clean and simple life and did not like luxury. Many short stories about him are recorded in the history books and handed down as beautiful talks. Even his political opponent, Wang Anshi, admires his moral character and is willing to be his neighbor. It is said that after Sima Guang's wife died, the family had no money for the funeral. His son Sima Kang and his relatives advocated borrowing some money to make the funeral more ostentatious, but Sima Guang disagreed, and educated his son that thrift should be the most valuable thing in life, so don't borrow money easily. Finally, he pawned his own land and arranged a funeral in a hurry. This is the story of Sima Guang's classic wife burial, which is circulated among the people.
Sima Guang's character, virtue, knowledge and history have always been highly respected by people. However, people praised and criticized his achievements.
When the Conservatives were in power, they praised their achievements. Song Zhezong also ordered Su Dongpo, a conservative academician, to write a tombstone, which was full of praise.
When the reformists were in power, Sima Guang not only made great achievements, but was also listed as a traitor. During Song Shaosheng's reign, Zhou Tie, an imperial envoy, first commented that "Wen Gong (famous after Sima Guang's death) slandered the first emperor and abolished his laws, which should be punished as a crime". The imperial court not only deprived all the titles, but also knocked down the huge monument erected in front of its tomb. When Wang Anshi's students, Zhang Chun and Cai Jing, were in power, they and 309 courtiers were listed as "traitors in Yuan You" in order to retaliate against Sima Guang and others for abolishing the new law, and they wanted to set up "traitor monuments" in the imperial court and counties.
However, at the corner of the monument, an unexpected thing happened. An Min, a stonemason, said to Cai Jing, "I'm a fool and I don't know the purpose of erecting a monument." But Sima Xianggong praised his integrity, but now he wants to list people as traitors. I can't bear it. Cai Jing was so angry that she wanted to punish him that her daughter cried and begged for mercy: "I dare not disobey the orders of adults." "There is only one requirement of the villain: when engraving the name of the craftsman on the tablet, don't engrave the name of the villain An Min on it, so as not to leave a thousand years of infamy." Cai Jing thought carefully, although Sima Guang was wrong, he was upright and enjoyed prestige, so he changed his mind and excluded Sima Guang from the traitors.
It can be seen that Sima Guang's personality is not only praised by the people, but even impressed by his opponents. In the feudal era, Sima Guang was the third sage of Confucius, ranking below Confucius and Mencius, and also enjoyed the match in Confucius Temple. Today, people still remember that there was a "Mr. Xu Shui" in history, and he left great spiritual wealth to future generations.