Li Hang

Li Hang

Li Hang (from 947 to July 23, 1004), a native of Feixiang, Mingzhou (Handan City, Hebei Province), was born in Taichu. He was a famous prime minister and poet in the Northern Song Dynasty.

In the fifth year of Taiping's rejuvenation of the country (980), Li Hongdeng became a Jinshi. He served as a general, a magistrate in Tanzhou, and a historian. Lei moved to the Minister of rites and the prince's guest to coach the prince Zhao Heng (song Zhenzong). In the third year of Zhidao (997), Zhenzong ascended the throne, paid homage to the Minister of the Ministry of household, and participated in political affairs. In the first year of Xianping (998), he paid homage to Zhangshi and supervised the revision of national history. The next year, he changed to be the Minister of Chinese calligraphy and left behind in Tokyo. In the fourth year of Xianping (1001), jiamenxiashilang was appointed. In the fifth year of Xianping (1002), jiashangshu's right servant shot.

In the first year of Jingde (1004), Li Hang died in 1958. He was awarded the title of "Wenjing" by Taiwei and Zhongshu. In the first year of Qianxing (1022), he was entitled to Zhenzong temple. During the reign of emperor LiZong of Song Dynasty, he was one of the 24 meritorious officials of zhaoxun Pavilion. Kangxi 61 years (1722), from the worship of the emperor temple.

Li Hang ruled the country with quiet and inaction, paid attention to the official affairs, and especially paid attention to getting rid of the arrogance and extravagance of people. It has a good reputation of "sage Prime Minister". In history, it is called "upright Prime Minister", while Wang Fuzhi called it "Minister of Pillar Stone of Song Dynasty". Three of his poems are recorded in Quan Song Shi.

Overview picture source: Sancai tuhui

Life of the characters

Great achievements

When Li Hang was young, he liked to learn and had a lot of spirit. His father Li Bing once said to others, "this child will be an official and a public assistant in the future." In the fifth year of the Taiping rejuvenation of the state (980), Li Kangzhong was a Jinshi Jiake, who was appointed as a general to serve as a governor and a judge in Tanzhou. He was promoted to the crown prince youzanshan doctor because of his suburban worship. In the judgment of Tanzhou, Zhao Changyan, the transport envoy, said that he had the quantity of Taifu, which was heard in the dynasty. At that time, Changsha shouhe Chengju was also "kind to him, thinking that there were public and auxiliary tools".

In the eighth year of Taiping's rejuvenation of the country (983), he was a writer in the Hui Dynasty. The prime minister called him to write an imperial edict to restrain Bian Jiang, which was played to Taizong of Song Dynasty. Taizong was very happy after reading it, and ordered him to be on duty in Hongwen hall in his original post and give him five grade official uniform.

Well appreciated

In the third year of Yongxi's reign (986), Wang Huaji wrote a letter recommending himself. Taizong said to the prime minister, "Li Hang and Song Shi are all talented people. They can take the exam together." The next day, he was granted the right buque and zhizhigao. Li Hang's position was lower than that of Wang Huaji and Song Shi. Taizong promoted him to the top of the three and gave each of them millions of money. Because of his poverty, he owed more money to others and gave him another 300000 yuan to repay the debt.

In the fourth year of Yongxi reign (987), Li Hang and song Bai, the academician of the Imperial Academy, learned Gongju together. Due to the strict control of song and Bai, most of the candidates failed in the list, resulting in "slander". Although there are many people who criticize and talk about this, none of them blame Li Hang.

In the first year of Duangong (988), Li Hongsheng took the post of Fang yuanwailang, and immediately became a Bachelor of Hanlin.

In the second year of Chunhua (1991), Li Hang was appointed as Liu Neiquan, a member of the Ministry of official justice. In his term of office, he "clarified Liu pin, distinguished Shu Yao, clear and concise, and returned to his reputation". Li Hang's talent and demeanor were appreciated by Taizong. He once served Taizong to participate in quyan. Taizong watched him and said, "Li Hang's demeanor is dignified and stable. He is really a noble man." In September of the same year, he was promoted to be a member of the Ministry of public affairs.

In October of the fourth year of Chunhua (993), he gave up his duty and joined the government. Soon after, Li Hang left his post because of his mother's death, and was appointed as governor of the prefecture before the mourning period expired. Before the trip, he was given the title of "Zhihe Nanfu" and "sitsi".

Tutoring the crown prince

In August of the first year of Dao (995), Zhao Heng (< I > Song Zhenzong < / I >) was appointed prince. Li Hang was promoted to minister of rites and was also a guest of the prince. Taizong ordered Zhao Heng to treat Li Hang as a master.

To participate in politics again

In March of the third year of Zhidao (997), Zhenzong ascended the throne. In April, Li Hang was appointed Minister of the Ministry of household affairs to participate in government affairs.

In October of the first year of Xianping (998), Li Hang and Zhang Qixian, the Minister of the Ministry of war, were appointed as Zhang Zhangshi. Li Hang also supervised the revision of national history and participated in the revision of Taizu Shilu.

Live in the capital

In June of the second year of Xianping (999), Li Hang presented a revised record of Taizu, a total of 50 volumes. At that time, all the people who participated in the compilation were rewarded with the addition of official titles. Only Li Hang sincerely refused and Zhenzong agreed. In November of the same year, he was appointed Minister of Zhongshu. When the Liao army invaded the border, Zhenzong personally went to the north and ordered Li Hang to leave Tokyo (< I > Kaifeng < / I >) behind. Li Hang was left behind and did not kill a single person, but the capital was in awe.

In February of the third year of Xianping (1000), Li Hang was appointed as the envoy of Yuande empress (< I > Zhenzong's mother). After Zhenzong returned to Beijing, Li Hang met him at the outskirts of the city. Zhenzong ordered him to sit down and have a good drink, and even offer consolation.

In March of the fourth year of Xianping (1001), Li Hang became a servant.

In November of the fifth year of Xianping (1002), Li Hang was appointed minister to the throne. In December, he and Prime Minister LV MENGZHENG served as the servants of the family.

I'm very sad and proud

On the third day of July in the first year of Jingde (1004), Li Hang returned to his home due to illness from the early Dynasty to the time when he was waiting to leave home. Zhenzong ordered the imperial doctor to visit him and sent envoys to ask him to look at him. The next day (the fourth day of July and the 23rd of July), Zhenzong came to inquire in person and gave 5000 taels of platinum. After Zhenzong returned to the palace, Li Hang died of illness at the age of 58. After hearing the news, Zhenzong was very sad. He went to worship Ling again and cried bitterly. He said to the left and right: "as a minister, Li Hang is loyal, kind and pure. He is the same from beginning to end. How can he think that he does not enjoy a long life?" Then he began to cry again. Immediately, he issued an imperial edict for his five-day stay in court (< I > Li Hang < / I > < I > ranked first. According to the rule, he only stayed in court for two days < / I >), and gave his posthumous title of "Wen Jing" to Taiwei and Zhongshu.

In order to show his favor, Zhenzong mourned for Li Hang in other places, and employed Li Zhi, the younger brother of Li Hang, who was a doctor of Guozi, as the member of Yu Department, Li Yuan, the Cheng of Guanglu temple, as the member of crown prince Zhongshe and tuntian, and Li Wei, the member of Zhiji Xianyuan, as the member of household department. Li Zongjian, the son of Li Hang, was recorded as the judge of Dali, and Li Hang's nephew Su ang and nephew Zhu Tao were granted the same Jinshi background. Zhao Xuan's envoy Li Shenfu was ordered to monitor the funeral.

In May of the second year of Jingde (1005), Li Hang was buried in jirunli, Xianxiang Township, Luoyang County, Henan Province, next to his father Li Bing's tomb.

Reference materials during the reign of Prime Minister: < / I >

The thought of serving the government

Select talents

Strictly abide by qualifications

In the process of being in power, Li Hang strictly abided by his principle of selecting talents, that is, to employ people according to their qualifications. Ye Fu of the Southern Song Dynasty believed that Li Hang was the beginning of the idea of "keeping qualifications and employing people", and he was also the best executive. He advocated quiet and stable political situation, and suggested that Zhenzong "don't thin the new comers".

Li Hang is not selfish in employing people. He is good at observing people and is willing to recommend and promote talents. He once recommended Zhang Yong, Chao Ji and others. However, he did not recommend talents without principle. For Ding, who was repeatedly recommended by Kou Zhun, he always refused to appoint them, believing that they "can be made on people.". Kou Jun didn't think so. He was framed by Ding Wei and demoted. He admired what Li Hang said.

More than 20 years after Li Hang's death, someone recommended Mei Xun to the imperial court and said that he could use it. Song Zhenzong objected: "Li Hang once said that he was not a gentleman." The fact that Li Hang was trusted by Zhenzong to such an extent was also deeply touched by Ouyang Xiu and others.

Governing the country

Few changes in political simplicity

When Li Hang was Prime Minister, Wang Dan served as an official. At that time, because of the military use in the northwest, Zaifu sometimes had a meal in the dark. Wang Dan sighed and said, "how can we sit in peace and be free?" "A little worry and hard work is enough as a warning," Li said. In the future, there will be peace in all directions, and the country may not be without major events. " Later, Khitan and song made peace, and Wang Dan asked how it was. Li Hang said, "of course, it's a good thing to be good. However, after the troubles in the border areas stop, I'm afraid the emperor will gradually have the idea of luxury and indulgence." Wang Dan doesn't think so. Li Hang also plays Zhenzong about the bandits of flood and drought in all directions. Wang Dan thinks that these small things are not worth bothering Zhenzong to deal with. Li Hang said: "the emperor is young, so he should let the emperor know the difficulties of all sides. Otherwise, the emperor's blood is strong, and he pays more attention to the affairs of the dog and the horse. Then, things like building, building soldiers, and praying for blessings from the ancestral temple will happen. I am old and can't wait to see this. It's a worry for you in the future. " After Li Hang's death, Zhenzong believed that Khitan had been repaired and the Xixia had accepted money, so he "sealed the East and offered sacrifices to the west" and built imperial palaces, which made people lose money. Wang Dan saw with his own eyes what Wang qinruo, Ding Wei and others had done. He wanted to admonish Zhenzong, but he had already worked with them. He wanted to leave, but he thought that Zhenzong had been very kind to him. Then he realized Li Hang's foresight and sighed: "Li Wenjing is really a saint." Therefore, people called him "holy phase".

Self cultivation

Honest and pure

Li Hang was an open and aboveboard man. He did not like the flattery of others, nor did he like the words of the emperor. He did not dare to avoid the power and personal feelings. He is famous for his frugality. He is an expert in self-discipline, careful in his position, unselfish in his family, not seeking fame, and following the rules. For the small and shabby room, I don't mind at all. His thought of frugality and abstinence from extravagance because of worrying about the world coincides with Confucius' idea of "frugal love".

Military diplomacy

Pragmatic and far sighted

When Li Jiqian, the leader of Dangxiang nationality, surrounded Lingzhou, the imperial court had two different opinions on Lingzhou. At that time, many people inside and outside the imperial court believed that Lingzhou was a place for military strategists. If Lingzhou was lost, the surrounding counties would not be able to keep it. Zhenzong was surprised and confused, so he asked Li Hang. Li Hang said: "if Li Jiqian does not die, Lingzhou cannot be occupied by the imperial court. no

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