□Jie Yuwen
About 20 kilometers east of Fengcheng City, Jiangxi Province, there is a village named Jie. The village faces north to south, facing open farmland, surrounded by hills on both sides, and a small stream winds through the front of the village. It has beautiful mountains and clear waters, beautiful scenery and outstanding people. Jiexisi, an important civil servant and writer in the mid-Yuan Dynasty, was born here. Jiexisi successively participated in the compilation of "Jingshi Dadian" and the three histories of Liao, Song and Jin, and served as the chief officer of the three histories. Jiexisi had profound attainments in poetry and prose, and was known as the "Four Masters of Scholars" together with Yu Ji, Liu Guan, and Huang Ming, and as the "Four Masters of Yuan Poetry" together with Yu Ji, Fan Cun, and Yang Zai.
1. Talented and highly regarded
Jiesisi's family was poor when he was young. He studied with his father at the age of five and studied hard day and night. At the age of twelve or thirteen, he read hundreds of classics and history. By the age of fifteen or sixteen, he had outstanding literary talent, especially good at poetry and calligraphy. People of his age admire him and worship him as their teacher. In his youth, Jiexisi traveled to other places with his father who went out to do business, and successively went to Hunan, Hubei and other places. He was reading and lecturing. At this time, Jiexisi first showed his talents, and local officials greatly appreciated and valued him. Hunan commander Zhao Hong was surprised when he saw him and said: "He will be a celebrity in Hanyuan in the future." Cheng Jufu and Lu Zhi, who successively served as the magistrate of Huguang, both said It's called a "wizard". Cheng Jufu betrothed his cousin to him as his wife.
Later, when Cheng Jufu went to court to serve as an official, he also invited Jiexisi to go with him and implored him to stay in the mansion. Although he lives in the capital, Jiexisi still lives in seclusion, does not publicize himself, and is very cautious in the ceremony of host and guest. Few people know that he is a close relative of Cheng Jufu. At that time, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty was still alive. Hearing that Cheng Gong had a distinguished guest, they all wanted to see him, so Cheng had to introduce him. From the conversation, they found that when Jiexisi discussed poetry, his images were flying and his momentum was bold; when he discussed the way to govern the country, he had unique insights and precise words. Everyone thought that Jiexisi was talented and a pillar of the country, and they recommended him to the court one after another. Li Meng, the official secretary of Zhizhong, read the "Biographies of Heroic Officials" written in the book and marveled: "This is a famous handwriting of history! Others are just copying other versions of history books."
From the beginning of Emperor Yanyou of Emperor Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty to the fourth year of Emperor Zhizheng of Emperor Huizong of the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted more than 30 years, Jiesisi entered the Imperial Academy three times and passed through the four dynasties of Renzong, Wenzong, Ningzong and Huizong, and was deeply trusted and reused by the emperors of each dynasty. "All matters of the imperial court and the rituals of the pavilion must be practiced without leisure. ②"
At the beginning of the Tianli period, Emperor Wenzong Tutiemu'er opened a school - "Kui Zhang Pavilion" and personally commissioned it. Jiexisi was given the heavy responsibility and appointed as a lecturer to teach the emperor's relatives and the children of meritorious officials. "Kuizhang Pavilion" is located in the west of Xingsheng Temple. Jiexisi lives in Shuangqiao, Dadu, more than ten miles away from Kuizhang Pavilion. He walks there and back every day, rain or shine. The princes and grandsons who were studying in the school were deeply touched when they saw this situation, and they discussed raising funds to buy a good horse for the teacher. When Jiexisi heard about it, he immediately bought a horse, showed it to others repeatedly, and then sold the horse to show that he did not want to involve others. None of the disciples taught by Jiexisi were greedy for fame and wealth, and later most of them became important ministers of the country. When Jiexisi was appointed as a lecturer, Emperor Wenzong Tutiemuer often came to the pavilion for consultations and talked with Jiexisi. Every time he answered fluently. When the emperor saw the "Xian Dian" written by Jiexisi, he was surprised and said: "Isn't this the Tang Code?" He also saw the forty-nine chapters of "The Taiping Politburo" and couldn't put it down. He put it on the bedside and read it often. . According to the history of the Yuan Dynasty, the emperor "whenever he appointed a Confucian minister, he would ask, 'What is his talent like that of Jie Manshuo? ③'". The history of the Yuan Dynasty also recorded: "The "Taiping Policy" was published occasionally to show to the officials in Taiwan, saying: 'This is what I taught the Confucian scholar to advance. ④'" The emperor presented the "Taiping Policy" to all civil and military officials for viewing, and said: " This is what we Jie Manshuo wrote, you all have to read it carefully!" The emperor did not call "Xisi" by his first name, but called him "Manshuo". From the above incidents, we can see the emperor's respect for Jiexisi.
Jie Xisi was appointed editor of Hanlin Academy of Chinese History by a commoner. Three years later, he was promoted to Fenghanlin Literary Tongzhi Zhigao, and then promoted to assistant professor of Guozi. Six years later (1319), The imperial court promoted Jiexisi to be a bachelor serving in the "Kui Zhang Pavilion". Soon, he was promoted to a bachelor serving as a lecturer, majoring in national history, managing economic and banquet affairs, and drafting and tabulating for the emperor. At that time, promotion could not exceed two levels, but Jiexisi advanced to four levels in a row, until he reached the second level "Zhongfeng Dafu". "Yuan Shi" records: "Shi Xin's promotion cannot go beyond the second level." The only one who can advance to the fourth level and move to the ninth level is a strange number. ⑤"
The Mongolians in the Yuan Dynasty were particularly discriminatory towards the Han people, but Jiexisi was highly valued and loved by the emperor's relatives and relatives, which is really rare.
2. Devoting himself to the Lord Revising the History of the Country
Jiesisi served successively as a scholar, a scholar in the Imperial Academy, a scholar at the Confucian banquet, a lecturer at the Confucian banquet, and a scholar at the banquet. The secret must be formulated by Xisi and then advanced. His words often contain the admonition of giving and substituting, in order to benefit the governance⑥." With his tireless and rigorous scholarly attitude, and his profound historical and literary heritage, Jiexi Si was entrusted with important tasks by Emperor Wenzong. He majored in the history of Liao, Song and Jin Dynasties. In addition to being the president of Dudu, Prime Minister Ren is the chief executive officer, equivalent to the CEO of a modern enterprise. The prime minister asked Jieshi: "What is the basis for compiling history? Answer: "Employ people first." People who are knowledgeable and can write articles but do not understand history cannot be employed; people who are educated and can write articles and understand history but lack morals cannot be employed; the fundamentals of employing people should be to put ‘morality’ first⑦”.
He often said to his colleagues: "To write a good history of the country, you must first understand the significance of history, respect history, and seek truth from facts. When the ancients wrote history, they would record no matter how small the good deeds, and no matter the small evils. Otherwise, how could they advise people to abandon evil and promote good? ? "In order to write the three histories of Liao, Song and Jin Dynasty, he resolutely wrote the manuscript himself and worked tirelessly. All gains and losses in government affairs and merits and demerits in human affairs are measured by right and wrong, without concealing evil or overflowing with beauty. For events where there is insufficient evidence, he will repeatedly conduct research and strive to be accurate.
In the fourth year of Zhizheng (1344), the "History of Liao" was completed. Jiexisi presented it to the emperor and was rewarded by the emperor. The emperor also encouraged him to complete the two histories of the Jin and Song Dynasties as soon as possible. Jiexisi was well aware of the weight of the burden on his shoulders, and was afraid that he would be unable to do so and live up to the emperor's love. He lived and ate in the history museum. He got up at dawn every day and stayed late at night, forgetting to eat or sleep. In the summer of the fourth year of Zhizheng period, Jie Xisi was infected with typhoid fever, but he was still writing at his desk. He died in the line of duty seven days later. When the officials from the DPRK and the Central Government learned of the sad news of Jiexisi's death, they all rushed to the History Museum to mourn. At this time, foreign envoys came to the capital. The relevant officials who received the foreign guests also died of illness and held a banquet to receive the envoys on another day. The emperor deeply regretted the loss of a good historian, and rewarded him with a lot of silver coins and cloth for his funeral. He also sent officers and soldiers to take Jieshi's coffin back to his hometown for burial by post ship. In the sixth year of Zhizheng 6th year, the imperial court posthumously named Jie Xisi the Duke of Yuzhang, with the posthumous title "Wen'an."
3. A man of integrity, loving good and hating evil
After Jieshi's social status and living environment changed, he still did not forget the sufferings of the common people. While he was working as an official abroad, he still cared about his hometown. Fengcheng did not produce gold, so the government listened to the misguided words of the traitor Shang Qiong and recruited three hundred families to dig for gold to pay tribute to the court. The recruited families had no choice but to leave their homes and live in other places to mine gold. Each household's annual gold payment increased from 4 taels to 49 taels. Soon, there were not many gold diggers left who were recruited, and the survivors became extremely poor. The officials above ordered the Fengcheng government: If they cannot hand over the gold, they will pay with labor. Many people in Fengcheng were displaced and their families were destroyed. After Jiexisi learned about the incident from his grandson, he detailed the truth to the court. The imperial court attached great importance to this matter. After investigation and verification, the relevant officials were punished. From then on, the people of Fengcheng were allowed to be exempted from paying gold and were able to recuperate and recuperate. They deeply felt the kindness of Jiexisi to plead for the people.
Jie Xisi has an upright character and likes good and hates evil. For officials who are honest and devoted to their duties and care for the people, when they speak or write articles, they must quote their deeds and praise their honest and honest behavior and moral character. We deeply hate corrupt officials who use their power for personal gain. Once, a prince used his power to ask his subordinates to send gifts to celebrate his birthday, and asked Jiexisi to write an article describing his so-called political achievements. Jiexisi reprimanded him and said: "Everyone has witnessed what you have done. I How can I go against public opinion and my own wishes to whitewash you, and flatter and praise you?!" This man was unwilling, and even though he tried to bribe him several times, he failed. As for kind-hearted people, Jiexisi always enthusiastically helps them. Once a customer asked him to write an article and give him a reward. Jiexisi finished writing the words and said to the guest: "You can take the money back and use it yourself. I have accepted your wish."
4. A Scholar with Outstanding Literary Talent
Jie Xi Siguan served as a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy for more than 30 years. He was both an official and a scholar, and he had profound literary attainments. His poems were very famous in the Yuan Dynasty and he was a famous figure in the literary circles of the capital. He, together with Yu Ji, Yang Zai and Fan Cun, were called the four great poets of the Yuan Dynasty. "History of the Yuan Dynasty" records: "For articles, the narrative is strict, the language is simple and to the point, and the poems are especially clear, graceful and dense. 8" His poems are implicit and tactful, naturally long, solid and rich. He is good at five ancient poems, and there are about thirty five-character short ancient poems (four sentences) in existence. Among them, the best works are very natural and long, such as the second part of "Four Plum Blossoms in the Wind, Smoke, Snow and Moon":
How early does the high flower bloom, and the light mist blows over the clothes. Looking from afar, we should not see each other, but we can still see each other vaguely. ⑨
Among the four great poets of the Yuan Dynasty, Jiesisi’s poems are far richer in content than those of Yu Ji, Yang Zai and Fan Cun. His "Linchuan Girl", "Changfengsha Night Mooring", "Going Wife's Song", "Three Poems on Rain", "Yan Family's Poems for Saving Brother", "Fisherman", "Gaoyou City", "Yangliuqing Ballad" Poems such as "Poems of Ancestors" and "Li Guanren Pipa Yin" all expose the contradictions and unreasonable phenomena in real life to a certain extent, and express deep sympathy for the working people and the unfortunate.
Jiesisi has been concerned about the country and the people since his youth, and wrote many poems reflecting social reality. The poem "Linchuan Girl" describes the tragic scene of a blind peasant girl who has been working as a servant for generations. Because her father died and the family was poor, her mother and brother were unable to support her, so they reluctantly drove her out of the house:
I I am a daughter of the Zhu family, living in Linchuan City. My father died when I was five years old, and God made me blind again. My mother and brother are in daily hardship, why should they support me? Once he heard the secret words, he went out of the east gate with the blind man. I can't see where I'm going, but I can hear the wind and rain. My mother wept over it, and my neighbors lamented over it. My mother is kind by nature, and my brother is also hard-working. The disease and poverty are driven away, and the love is moved.
It is written in "The Ballad of Yangliuqing":
There have been years of floods and droughts, and there are no silkworms, and Ding Lifu is miserable. Weiyou is guarding the tomb by the river, and several tall trees stand beside each other at dawn.
...such as "Shang Li Qin Gong Shu" and "Yu Shangshu You Cheng Shu".
The collected works of Jiexisi include: "The Complete Works of Jiexisi" (1985, re-edited and published by Shanghai Gujie Publishing House), and "Qianqingtang Bibliography" contains fifty volumes of "Collection of Jiewen An Gong", The surviving ancient complete works include: "Sikuquanshu" (14 volumes), "Sibu Congkan" (14 volumes, and later added a volume of poems), and "Yuzhang Congshu" (18 volumes).
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Note: ①⑦ See Fengcheng County Chronicle of Jiangxi Province
②③④⑤⑥See “Yuan History” Volume 181 Biographies Eighteenth - Jiexisi
⑧⑨See Deng Shaoji's "History of Literature of the Yuan Dynasty".