Wang Shu

Wang Shu

Wang Shu (303-368) was born in Jinyang, Taiyuan (today's Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province). An official of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the son of Wang Cheng, the governor of the East China Sea.

Wang Shu lost his father when he was young. To serve mother, to live in poverty and keep promise, not to seek fame and position. With the help of menyin, he became a member of the zhongbing family of situ (Wang Dao), successively served as the Gongcao of King Langya (simayue), the magistrate of Wanling County, the chief historian of Zhenglu (Yu Bing), the prefect of Linhai, and the prefect of Kuaiji. The administration was clean and upright, and he left when his mother died. Yonghe ten years (354 years), as governor of Yangzhou, plus Wei general. He opposed the move of the great Sima Huan to Luoyang, the capital of Luoyang. He was tired of moving to serve as a minister and served as an official when he was old.

In the third year of Taihe (368), Wang Shu died at the age of sixty-six. He was presented to Shizhong, general Hushi and Kaifu Yitong. The posthumous title is Jian.

(general picture source)

Life of the characters

Early experience

Wang Shu lost his father when he was young, served his mother and enjoyed the name of filial son. He was content with poverty, thrifty, and did not pursue fame and official rank. His character is quiet. Guests often indulge in debates and heresies, but Wang Shu is silent. He inherited his father's title when he was young.

In his thirties, he was not well-known. Some people said he was demented. Wang Dao of situ took the people of his clan as his subordinate. When Wang Shu asked to see him, he said nothing but the price of rice in Jiangdong. Wang Shu did not answer with wide eyes. Wang said: "Wang is not crazy. Why do people say he is crazy?" Seeing Wang's speech, all the guests praised him. Wang said, "if you are not Yao and Shun, how can you do everything right?" Wang Dao apologized to him and said to Yu Liang, "Wang Huaizu is noble, simple and upright. He is not inferior to his grandparents and father. He just has a little less open mind."

Persuading Yu Bing

In the ninth year of Xianhe (334), Sima Yue, king of Langya, was granted the title of general of puma, and called the king to be the official Cao, who was appointed as the magistrate of Wanling county. Taiwei and Sikong frequently recruited Wang Shu and appointed him as Minister Li Bulang. Yu Bing was appointed as the commander of the expedition. At that time, Yu Yi guarded Wuchang. Because of the appearance of monsters and beasts, he planned to move his residence to avoid the threat.

Wang Shu wrote a letter to Yu Bing, saying, "it is said that general Anxi is going to move his residence to Lexiang. I don't know whether this is for the sake of the country or personal feelings? If it's for the sake of the country, the country will be thousands of miles away from Wuchang, and tens of thousands of people will migrate and rebuild their castles. No matter the country or the individual, they will suffer from hardship. Even if it's really a vital place and suitable to enter, we still need to consider the burden of migration and weigh the gains and losses of the two. Moreover, it's not a vital place today! Today's strong Hu is rampant, so it's time to conserve our energy, and to move without reason is a self seeking mistake. In addition, it will take thousands of miles to move from Jiangzhou upstream to supply military supplies, which will double the labor force and make it tired and stranded on the road. In fact, Wuchang is the center of guarding Jiangdong. It is not only to resist the enemy in the upper reaches. In case of emergency, it is easy to go to the capital quickly. If you move to Yuexiang, a place far away from the western edge, you will not be able to save Jiangdong once it is in trouble. The powerful general Zuo Zhen, who was sent by the imperial court, was supposed to occupy an important position and create a favorable situation both inside and outside, making it impossible for the strong enemies who were waiting for the opportunity to start. If out of the feeling of disgusting demons, the way of heaven is secluded, ghosts and gods are unpredictable, demons are auspicious and evil, who knows the reason! Therefore, a virtuous man should act in accordance with the right way and not be misled by emotional likes and dislikes. In the past, the Qin Dynasty taboo the prophecy of "Hu ye who killed the Qin Dynasty" and overhauled the Great Wall, which gave Liu Bang and Xiang Yu an opportunity to take advantage of. King li of Zhou hated the ballad of "hating wood arc to kill the Zhou Dynasty" and burned the arrow, which led to the chaos of the state of Bao Si. The same is true of this matter. Looking at the past and present, looking at the things of our predecessors, we can see that there are many people who blindly believe in demons and lead to quick failure. If the way to get rid of evil and avoid disaster is not very clear, we should follow the principle of things and consider the country's overall plan. Only in this way can the world be lucky and safe and have a good reputation. If general Anxi had made up his mind to guard Wuchang, he would have to move to Xiakou. This is really a bad policy. It is generally believed that it is impossible to move to happy land. It is hoped that the general will consider the interests of the country and carefully examine this move. "

At that time, the court did not agree with the move, so Yu Yi stopped moving the town.

The change of official career

Wang Shu took the post of Linhai prefect and was promoted to Jianwei general and Kuaiji NEISHI. The administration is serious and just, and it is quiet all day. He left his job to keep filial piety because of his mother's death. At the end of his filial piety period, he replaced Yin Hao as the governor of Yangzhou and was granted the general of Zhenglu. When he first took office, he asked for instructions on taboo matters. Wang Shu replied: "the deceased ancestors and the former monarchs are well-known all over the world. They only need to be taboo within their relatives, and the rest of the people need not be taboo." Soon after, the court appointed him as the supervisor of Zhongshu. Wang Shu resolutely resigned and did not take office for many years. In addition, he was granted the title of general Zhenglu and promoted to the rank of commander in chief of Yangzhou Xuzhou. He was also promoted to the rank of commander in chief of military affairs, general of Wei, and Dazhong of jiyouping. The governor of Yangzhou remained unchanged. Before long, he moved to be a regular official and a minister, and the title of general remained the same.

Every time Wang Shu accepted a position, he did not make a pretense. If he did, he would not accept a certain position. When he was in office this time, his son Wang Tanzhi advised him that he should be modest according to the usual rules. Wang Shu said, "do you think I am incompetent?" "No," Wang said. It's just that words can be passed on as beautiful words. " Wang Shu said: "if you are competent, why give up! People say that you are better than me. You can't be better than me. " Wang Tanzhi is a long history of Huan Wen. Huan Wen plans to propose to Wang Tanzhi and marry his daughter for his son. Wang Tanzhi went home to visit his father. Wang Shu doted on him. Although he had grown up, he still let him sit on his lap. Wang Tanzhi explained the meaning of Huan Wen. Wang Shu was so angry that he pushed Wang Tanzhi down and said, "are you demented? How can you be afraid of Huan Wen's face and marry your daughter to Wu Fu! " Wang Tanzhi refused Huan Wen's proposal for other reasons. Huan Wen said, "it's just because your father refused." So the marriage ended. Emperor Jian Wen often said that although Wang Shu's talent was not outstanding, his sincerity and directness were enough to rival others. Xie an also admired Wang Shu.

Try to prevent the capital from moving

In the first year of Longhe (362), Huan Wen pacified Luoyang and suggested that the imperial court move its capital to Luoyang. The imperial court was afraid and prepared to send a servant to dissuade Huan Wen. Wang Shu said: "Huan Wen just wanted to bluff to deter the imperial court. He didn't really want to move the capital. If you just follow him, you won't really do it. " There was no action to move the capital. Huan Wen also suggested that the big bell and the bell stand in the old palace of Luoyang should be moved. Wang said: "Yongjia was forced by qianghu, and its capital was temporarily set in Jiangdong. Now it is about to pacify the world and return to the old capital. Even if we don't return the old capital, we should first move to the former Emperor's garden and mausoleum, and we should not publicize the bell first. " Huan Wen finally gave up because he could not refute him.

Death

In the second year of Taihe (367), when he was nearly 70 years old, he wrote a letter to ask for his resignation, saying: "my great grandfather, Wei Sikong, Wang Chang, wrote to Emperor Wen and said," once upon a time, he was an official of the east palace with zongshilin of Nanyang. Zong Shilin has a good reputation and is respected by people in the prefecture. When he was old and industrious, people laughed at him for fear that he would be abandoned by the imperial court. If heaven is gracious and allows his ministers to live longer, he is willing to resign and retire, rather than follow Zonggong's infatuation with his official career. " He is generous in his love words and despises those who are infatuated with officials. Although it is a book, it is actually a admonition. How can I deal with official affairs when I am sick and can no longer be respectful. Day by day, old and frail, disease is hard to cure for a long time, there is no expectation of looking forward to Huabing. Please allow me to follow the precepts of my ancestors and return home. " The court will not allow it. Wang Shu was too sick to serve as a member of the Council. He died three years later and was 66 years old.

After the death of Wang Shu, the imperial court bestowed the following posthumous Titles: Shi Zhong, general Hushi and Kaifu. His posthumous title was mu, which was changed to Jian because he avoided the taboo of emperor mu. His son, Wang Tanzhi, inherited the title of nobility.

Anecdotes and allusions

At the beginning, Wang Shu's family was poor, so he asked to try the Wanling order. He accepted many gifts from others, and bought furniture. The State Department found out that there were 1300 pieces. Wang Dao sent someone to Wang Shu and said, "the son of Mingfu doesn't have to worry about being without salary. It's very inappropriate for Quzhi county to seek property." Wang Shu said: "if you are satisfied, you will stop." At that time, people thought that Wang Shu was not open-minded. Later, he became a prefect for many times. His incorruptness was incomparable. All the rewards he received from the imperial court were given to his relatives and friends. The old buildings did not change the appearance of the past, which was praised by people.

Wang Shu is usually impatient. Once ate an egg, stabbed with chopsticks, not stabbed, then angrily threw the egg on the ground. When the egg kept rolling, he got out of bed and stepped on the egg with the teeth of his clogs. Extremely angry, he grabbed it and put it in his mouth, bit it and spit it out. After holding an important official position, he often manages affairs with a gentle way. Xie Yi has a rough temper. He once resented Wang Shu and scolded him with vicious words. Wang Shu ignored and stood facing the wall. After half a day, Xie Yi left, and then he returned to his seat. People praised him for his self-restraint.

Anecdotes and allusions

Character evaluation

The book of Jin: "Huaizu Jianju Yiyuan, Chongjin Yucui."

Wang Dao: "Huaizu is pure, simple and precious. It does not destroy the ancestors and fathers, but it is not as broad as the ears."

Xie an: "duopi is true."

Sima Yu: "talent is not long, and it is not weak in glory and profit. If you use a little truth, you will be good enough for people."

member of family

grandfather

Wang Zhan

father

Wang Cheng

children

Wang Tanzhi, the eldest son and heir of Wang Shu, was an important official of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He once fought against Huan Wen in the court with Xie an. After his death, Huan Wen assisted Xie an in politics. He has successively held the posts of zhongshuling, Xuyan Erzhou governor and so on.

Wang Chuzhi, Wang Shuzi.

Wang juanzhi, the youngest son of Wang Shu, is the Minister of Zhongshu, who marries Princess Xunyang.

Wang Quan, Wang Shu's daughter, married Xie Wan.

Film and television image

2016 TV drama "the sage of books Wang Xizhi": Zhang Xin plays Wang Shu.

Chinese PinYin : Wang Shu