The story of Wang Dan, the famous prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty. What are the anecdotes and allusions of Wang Dan?

Wang Dan (957-October 2, 1017), courtesy name Ziming. His name was from Shen County (now part of Shandong). A famous prime minister in the Northern Song Dynasty, he was the son of Wang Hu, the Minister of War.

In the fifth year of Taiping and Xingguo's reign (980), Wang Dan ascended to the rank of Jinshi and compiled "Wenyuan Yinghua" as a writer. The tired officials also know the affairs of the Privy Council and participate in political affairs. In the first year of Jingde (1003), during the Battle of Chanyuan, Zhenzong went to Chanzhou. Due to the sudden illness of Zhao Yuanfen, king of Yong Dynasty in Tokyo, he returned to the left-behind affairs.

In the third year of Jingde (1006), he paid homage to the prime minister and supervised the compilation of "History of the Two Dynasties". He was good at understanding people and recommended many knowledgeable people. He advised Zhenzong to follow the methods of his ancestors and be careful about changes. He has been in power for eighteen years and served as prime minister for twelve years. He is highly trusted by Zhenzong. However, after being persuaded by Wang Qinruo, he could not stop Zhenzong from ennobling Zen in the Heavenly Book.

Wang Dan repeatedly asked to abdicate in his later years. In the first year of Tianxi (1017), he resigned as prime minister due to illness, and the Taiwei took charge of Yuqing Zhaoying Palace Envoy. He died in September of the same year and was given the posthumous title Wenzheng by the Grand Master, Shangshu Ling, Zhongshu Ling and Zhongshu Ling, and Wei Guogong, so later generations called him "Wang Wenzheng". In the first year of Qianxing (1022), he was entitled to enjoy the Zhenzong temple. In the second year of Zhihe (1055), Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty inscribed the title of his monument as "Quan De Yuan". He is one of the twenty-four heroes of Zhaoxun Pavilion. Twenty volumes of collected works have been lost. The Complete Poems of the Song Dynasty contains three of his poems, and the Complete Poems of the Song Dynasty contains his essays.

What are Wang Dan’s anecdotes and allusions

Wang Dan is generous

Kou Zuo mentioned Wang Dan’s shortcomings several times, and Wang Dan specifically praised Kou Zuo. Zhenzong said to Wang Dan: "Although you praise his merits, he specifically talks about your shortcomings." Wang Dan said: "The reasoning is like this. If I stay in the position of prime minister for a long time, there will be many political failures. Kou Zhun is right. Your Majesty has nothing to hide, and he is even more loyal and upright, which is why I value Kou Zhun." Zhenzong therefore believed that Wang Dan was virtuous. When Zhongshu Sheng sent something to the Privy Council, which violated the edict, Kou Zuo reported the matter to Zhenzong in the Privy Council. Wang Dan was scolded and only thanked him, while the courtiers were punished. Less than a month later, the Privy Council sent something to Zhongshu Sheng, which violated the edict. The courtiers excitedly presented it to Wang Dan, who ordered it to be sent back to the Privy Council. Kou Zuo was very ashamed. When he saw Wang Dan, he said, "We were in the same science examination. How did you get such a big favor?" Wang Dan did not respond. When Kou Zuo dismissed the Privy Envoy, he asked someone to privately request him to be the envoy and prime minister. Wang Dan was surprised and said: "How can you force yourself to get the appointment of a general or prime minister! I don't accept private requests." Kou Zuo was very regretful. Soon, Kou Ni was awarded the title of Military Envoy of Wu Shengjun and Pingzhangshi of Tongzhongshu Menxia. Kou Zhen went to the court to pay homage and thanked him: "If your Majesty didn't know me well, how could I be here?" Zhenzong said in detail that it was because of Wang Dan's recommendation. Kou Ni sighed with shame, thinking that he could not keep up with Wang Dan. Kou Zhen was serving in another county. On his birthday, he built a mountain tent for a banquet and spent extravagant clothing, so he was accused by others. Zhenzong was angry and said to Wang Dan: "Kou Zuo wants to imitate me in everything, okay?" Wang Dan replied slowly: "Kou Zuo is indeed a virtuous person, what can be done about his stupidity?" Zhenzong's intention was then He explained, saying: "Yes, this is just stupidity." So he didn't ask about it.

Chen Pengnian, a Hanlin scholar, submitted the entry to the government examination room. Wang Dan threw it to the ground and said, "Does Nei Han want to cut off and intercept Jinshi from all over the world after he has been in office for a few days?" Chen Pengnian was frightened. And retreat. At that time, Xiang Minzhong was in Zhongshu Province at the same time and took out the words left by Chen Pengnian. Wang Dan closed his eyes and took the paper to seal it. When he asked Minzhong to take a look, Wang Dan said: "It's just a contribution to the construction of Furuitu." Later, Chen Pengnian, Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai participated in political affairs and said to Wang Dan together: "Every time you do something, there are some things that are not done by your majesty." I'm afraid people may think it's inappropriate for you to follow the instructions." Wang Dan just said thank you. One day, Wang Dan withdrew, and Wang Zeng and others stayed for a while. Zhenzong was surprised and said, "Why don't you come with Wang Dan?" All three of them dealt with the past. Zhenzong said: "Wang Dan has been with me for many years, and I have no selfish motives in inspecting him. Since he went east to become a Zen monk, I have told him to do small things alone, and you will do it respectfully." After Wang Zeng and others withdrew, they were ashamed to thank him. Dan said: "It's just relying on the public interests." He didn't mind what happened in the past.

Slow and discerning.

When they were discussing the imperial edict, Wang Dan said, "It's a pity that Zhang Shide is the emperor." Asked Minzhong about him, Wang Dan said, "I have repeatedly told the emperor that Zhang Shide is a son of a famous family and a scholar. Unexpectedly, he came to my house twice. The number one scholar has been determined, and he should just wait calmly. If he continues to compete for fame and wealth, what should he do if he has no way to seek an official position? " Wang Dan stated Zhang Shide's intention to Minzhong: "How can anyone here dare to slander others rashly? It's just Zhang Shide who is backward and treats me frivolously." Xiang Minzhong insisted: "If there is an opportunity, I hope you will not forget it." Wang Dan said: "Stop for a moment and let me Teachers know the virtues and use them to dissuade greedy people and encourage vulgarity."

Save lives

In the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1015), a fire broke out in Rongwang Palace and burned down the left side. Wang Dan hurriedly entered the Cangku, Chaoyuan Gate and Chongwen Pavilion. Zhenzong said: "What has been accumulated in the two dynasties here, I will not spend it rashly. It will be used up in one dynasty. It is really a pity." Wang Dan replied: "Your Majesty is rich in the world, and you don't have to worry about money and silk. What you worry about is the rewards and punishments of government orders." It's inappropriate. I am a prime minister, and the natural disaster is like this. I should be dismissed from my post." Then Zhenzong issued an edict to blame himself, and allowed the officials at home and abroad to discuss the pros and cons. Later, some people said that it was the fire in Rongwang Palace that spread, not a natural disaster, and requested a prison case to be impeached. More than a hundred people should be implicated and died. Wang Dan asked alone: ??"When the fire started, your Majesty had already blamed himself for issuing an edict to the world, and all the ministers reported the crime. Now he blames others, how can he show his credibility?" So more than a hundred people were spared.

Once, the person who was in charge of Zhanhou wrote a letter to talk about things in the palace and was killed. When searching his home, he obtained letters from the court officials who had written to him asking about good or bad luck. Zhenzong was angry and planned to hand it over to the censor to inquire about the situation. Wang Dan said: "This is human nature, and the words did not involve the imperial court, so there is no guilt." Zhenzong's anger was not gone, so Wang Dan took out the letters he had taken out and dedicated them, saying: "When I was young and humble, I could not help but If you must be guilty of doing such a thing, I hope that I will be sent to prison together." Zhenzong said: "This matter has been exposed, how can I be exempted?" Wang Dan said: "As the prime minister, I will execute the country's laws. How can you do it yourself and be lucky enough not to be exposed and be regarded as a sinner?" Zhenzong thought. Wang Dan went to Zhongshu Province and burned all the letters he got. Soon I regretted it and hurried to get it, but it was already burned. Because of this, everyone can be exempted from guilt.

Being upright

When Renzong was the crown prince, Prince Yude met Wang Dan and praised the prince for his methodical calligraphy learning. Wang Dan said: "Is this the only duty of Yu De?" Zhang Shixun also praised the prince's calligraphy. Wang Dan said: "The prince is not taking the imperial examination, and choosing bachelors is not studying calligraphy."

Zhenzong planned to use Wang Qinruo as his As prime minister, Wang Dan disagreed, so Zhenzong stopped thinking of using Wang Qinruo as prime minister. After Wang Dan resigned as prime minister, Wang Qinruo was appointed as prime minister. He told others: "Because the prince asked me to postpone becoming prime minister for ten years." Wang Qinruo, Chen Yaosou and Ma Zhijie, who were serving in the Privy Council, had angrily and quarreled over the affairs. Zhenzong summoned Wang Dan, but Wang Qinruo continued to make noise. Ma Zhijie burst into tears and said, "I hope to go to the Yushi Mansion with Wang Qinruo to be examined." Wang Dan scolded Wang Qinruo and asked him to step down. Zhenzong was furious and ordered the prison case to be handed over. Wang Dan said calmly: "Wang Qinruo and others are relying on your majesty's good care. Your majesty is tired of condemning and scolding, so he should implement the imperial punishment. I hope to return to the palace for now and get the order tomorrow." The next day, Zhenzong summoned Wang Dan to go. When asked, Wang Dan said: "Wang Qinruo and others should be deposed. I don't know for what crime?" Zhenzong said: "It is because of anger and quarrels that are rude." Wang Dan said: "Your Majesty owns the world. If the ministers are guilty of quarrels and rudeness because of anger, , maybe it will be heard by foreign countries, and it may not be able to deter remote places." Zhenzong said: "What is your opinion?" Wang Dan said: "I hope to go to Zhongshu Province and summon Wang Qinruo and others to declare your majesty's tolerant opinions and warn them. "It's not too late to depose them after a while." Zhenzong said, "If it weren't for you, I would have been unable to bear it." More than a month later, Wang Qinruo and others were deposed.

Zhenzong once showed the Privy Council and Zhongshu Menxia’s imperial composition "Poetry on Joyful Rain". Wang Dan put it into his sleeve and returned it, saying: "There is a wrong word in your Majesty's poem. I wonder if it was changed when it was presented. ?" Wang Qinruo said, "There's no harm in it." But he reported the matter secretly. Zhenzong was not happy and said to Wang Dan: "Yesterday there was a wrong word in the poem. Why didn't you come and submit it?" Wang Dan said: "I got the poem and didn't have time to read it again, so it was wrong to present it." Fearing that he would kneel down to apologize again, all the ministers knelt down to apologize. , only the privy councilor Ma Zhijie did not kneel down, and reported all the reports according to the actual situation, and said: "Wang Dan's carelessness and failure to identify mistakes is really a talent of the prime minister." Zhenzong looked at Wang Dan and smiled.

At that time, there was a great locust plague in the world. The imperial court sent people to get dead locusts in the wilderness, and the emperor showed them to the officials. The next day, the minister in power put the dead locust into his sleeve and presented it to him, saying: "The locust is indeed dead. Please show it to the court and lead all the officials to celebrate." Only Wang Dan firmly disagreed, and everyone gave up. A few days later, when the court was playing business, migratory locusts covered the sky. Zhenzong looked at Wang Dan and said, "Suppose the officials were just celebrating and the locust plague happened like this, wouldn't they be laughed at by the world?"

Wang Dan was When the eunuch Zhou Huaizheng traveled to Jinling Palace in Yanzhou, he would accompany him. Sometimes he would take the opportunity to invite him. Wang Dan would wait for his entourage to arrive, put on his hat and belt, and go out to meet him in the hall. He would report the matter and then exit. Later, Zhou Huaizheng was exposed, and Wang Dan's long-term considerations became known. The eunuch Liu Chenggui was favored because of his loyalty and prudence, but he was about to die due to illness and asked to be appointed as the governor. Zhenzong told Wang Dan: "Liu Chenggui is waiting for the appointment of Jiedu envoy to rest in peace." Wang Dan insisted on disagreeing and said: "In the future, someone will request to be the privy envoy. What should I do?" So he stopped this practice. From then on, the eunuch's official position did not exceed that of Liu Hou.

Evaluating Ding Wei

Wang Dan once evaluated characters with Yang Yi. Yang Yi said: "What will happen to Ding Wei in the future?" Wang Dan said: "To have talent is to have talent. , It is not necessarily true that he is in charge. In the future, if he is in a high position and has virtuous people helping him, he may have good luck throughout his life; if he monopolizes power, he will definitely be hindered by himself." Later, Ding Wei did what Wang Dan said.

The family is polite

Wang Dan serves his widowed sister-in-law with courtesy and has a deep friendship with his younger brother Wang Xu. Marriage does not require family status. The quilt and clothes were plain, and the family planned to use silk floss to decorate the felt mat, but Wang Dan disagreed. Someone was selling a jade belt. His younger brother thought it was very good and presented it to Wang Dan. Wang Dan ordered his younger brother to tie it and said, "Is it still visible?" Wang Xu said, "How can you see it by yourself if you wear it?" Wang Dan said "Isn't it troublesome to carry the weight yourself and be praised by the people watching?" Wang Xu quickly returned the jade belt. Therefore, Wang Dan only tied the belt given to him. His family has never seen him angry or eating uncleanly, he just refuses to eat. He once tried putting a little ink into the broth, but Wang Dan only ate. When asked why he didn't eat the broth, he said, "I sometimes don't like eating meat." Later, he put ink into the rice and said, " I don't want to eat today, so I can prepare some rice porridge." Wang Dan refused to buy property and said, "The descendants should be independent, not to mention that it is unjust to let them compete for property." Zhenzong believed that Wang Dan lived there. His house was simple and he wanted to repair it, but Wang Dan used the old house of his ancestors as an excuse to refuse and then stopped. The door of the house was broken, so the person in charge completely replaced it and temporarily opened a side door under the corridor for entry and exit. When Wang Dan arrived at the side door, he leaned over the saddle and passed by. The door of the house was completed and he entered through the door of the house without asking.