Xu Guang (Later Zhao)
Xu Guang | |
|---|---|
| 徐光 | |
| Recordskeeping Army Advisor (記室參軍) | |
| In office ?–326 | |
| Monarch | Shi Le |
| Prefect of the Palace Secretariat (中書令) | |
| In office 330–333 | |
| Monarch | Shi Le/Shi Hong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 295 Qingfeng County, Henan |
| Died | 333 |
| Parent |
|
| Courtesy name | Jiwu (季武) |
Xu Guang (c. 300–333), courtesy name Jiwu, was a minister of Later Zhao during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was captured by Shi Le's general Wang Yang (王陽) and served as a servant, but after discovering his potential, he was recruited into Shi Le's army instead. Misconducts by Xu Guang angered Shi Le who had him and family imprisoned in 326. However, Xu Guang won Shi Le's favour back in 328, after his advice earned them a victory over Zhao's rival Han Zhao. As he became a prominent member of the administration, Xu Guang tried to reduce the power of Shi Le's nephew, Shi Hu but could not convince Shi Le fully remove him. Shi Hu resented him for this, and when he launched his coup in 333, Shi Hu had him and his ally Cheng Xia executed.
Early life and background
Xu Guang was from Dunqiu County in Dong Commandery. He grew up poor and his father Xu Cong (徐聰) only worked as a mere cow doctor. Despite his poor upbringing, he took a liking for studying and reciting literature. Most likely in 308,[1] the Han Zhao general, Shi Le, invaded Dunqiu. His general Wang Yang captured the county, where he took in a 13 year old Xu Guang as a servant. Xu Guang was ordered to work in Wang Yang's stables, where he would tend to the horses. Xu Guang had no interest in his new work, and instead spent the rest of his time writing poetry and songs on the posts tied to the horses.
Wang Yang eventually found out of Xu Guang's procrastination. Angered, he had him imprisoned and whipped. However, after his release, Wang Yang felt guilty after being informed that Xu Guang had cried all night long. Wang Yang summoned Xu Guang and handed him a brush and paper, which Xu Guang wrote an ode on. Wang Yang was impressed by Xu Guang's talents and rewarded him with robes. He also recommended him to Shi Le, who agreed to appoint him into his administration.[2]
Career under Shi Le
Capture of Wang Jun
Xu Guang followed Shi Le during his campaign to capture Wang Jun in 314. After Wang Jun was captured, Wang Jun scolded Shi Le, "How dare a barbarian like you make a fool of me? What wicked treason is this?" Xu Guang, who was with Shi Le at the time, replied, "You hold the loftiest of offices, and you have powerful soldiers at hand. Yet you sat and watched as the court you served was overthrown, and you did nothing to lend them aid. Now you even want to exalt yourself as the Son of Heaven. Is that not 'wicked treason'? And even though you held an important office, you gave in to perverse greed, inflicting your tyranny on the common people and taxing and harming the loyal and the good. Poison has spread through the whole Yan region, and whose fault is it but yours?" Wang Jun was later brought to Xiangguo (襄國, in modern Xingtai, Hebei) where he was executed.[3]
Envoy to Shao Xu
In 320, a retainer of Wang Jun, Shao Xu was finally captured by Shi Le's nephew, Shi Hu. Shi Le sent Xu Guang as an envoy to the defeated general, telling him in Shi Le's own words, "The nation should be united in order to set aside chaos and return from all directions. Our prestige spreads, but you still cling to Sima Rui and arrogantly defy my king's will. You may think us as inferior but how is it that is my ruler not fit to rule this land? Why remain ignorant? The world is inhabited by virtuous people, so why must you continue to divide it?” Shao Xu provided a lengthy explanation for his loyalty to Jin and his reason for defying Shi Le. Shi Le was impressed and had Shao Xu as a respected guest from then on.[4]
Battle of Luoyang
Xu Guang was serving as Records Keeping Army Advisor by 326. That year, Xu Guang ran into trouble with Shi Le. Shi Le summoned him to court one day but Xu Guang could not arrive as he was too drunk. Shi Le thus demoted him to a standard official. On a later occasion, Xu Guang was attending Shi Le when he was displaying an irritated face around him. Shi Le noticed this and was greatly angered. He had Xu Guang and his wife thrown into prison for his behaviour.[5]
Xu Guang was imprisoned for two year until 328, when Shi Le was having his final campaign against Liu Yao of Han Zhao. Shi Le was frustrated by his officials who opposed his decision to personally lead the campaign. With his court against him, he looked towards Xu Guang. Shi Le freed and pardoned him for his past crimes before asking for his advice, which Xu told him, "Liu Yao gained an advantage when he won at Gaohou (高候, north of modern Wenxi County, Shanxi). But rather than advance straight for Xiangguo, he lay siege to Luoyang instead. This shows his lack of ability. Great King, you need only match your valor and cunning against his, and then he will certainly strike his banners and flee in defeat. By this one act, you will settle and bring peace to the realm. You cannot squander this chance." Shi Le was pleased and laughingly said, "It is just as Xu Guang says."[6]
Xu Guang followed Shi Le during the assault on Luoyang. As Xu had predicted, Shi Le overcame Liu Yao and even captured him in battle. Liu Yao saw Shi Le and told him, "King Shi, have you forgotten the pledge we made together at Zhongmen?" Shi Le sent Xu Guang to tell him, "Today's events were dictated by Heaven's will; what use is there of saying anything further?"[7] The last remaining resistance of Han Zhao's forces were defeated in 329. The following year in 330, Shi Le declared himself Heavenly King and handed out appointments to his officials. Xu Guang in particular became Prefect of the Palace Secretariat and acting Custodian of the Private Library.
Later life, opposing Shi Hu and death
Later that year, Shi Le was worried about his Crown Prince Shi Hong, who was not as militaristic as his father. Xu Guang told him not to worry much about it, comparing the father and son relationship of Shi Le and Shi Hong to that of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Wen of Han, as the former unified the state through war while the latter established peace in his rule. Shi Le was pleased with the answer but Xu Guang took a step further to bring up about his powerful nephew, Shi Hu. Xu Guang urged Shi Le to reduce his power while increasing Shi Hong's as he feared that Shi Hu would go against Shi Hong in the future. Shi Le took his advice but never acted upon it.[8]
In 331, Shi Le intended to construct a new palace in Ye. However, he was opposed by his Minister of Justice, Xu Xian (續咸). Shi Le was angry and wanted to execute him but Xu Guang intervened and told him that Xu Xian was only giving honest criticism. Shi Le realised this and did not carry out the execution. Instead, he rewarded Xu Xian and delayed the start of the construction.[9]
In 332, Shi Le held a banquet at the beginning of the year. He asked Xu Guang which rulers does he compare to. Xu Guang told him, "In martial valor, strategy, and resourcefulness, Your Majesty surpasses even Han Gaozu. There shall never be anyone who can compare with you." Shi Le laughed and said, "What man does not know his own worth? Sir, you go too far. If I had met Han Gaozu, then I would have faced north to him as his servant, shoulder to shoulder with Han Xin and Peng Yue. And had I met Emperor Guangwu, then I would have contended with him for the Central Plains, and we would have seen to whom the deer would fall. When a true man acts, he should be forthright and aboveboard, and open and clear as the sun and moon. One should not imitate the examples of Cao Mengde and Sima Zhongda, who only bullied mere orphans and widows and captured the realm through their beguiling." The ministers present kowtowed and chanted "Long live the emperor!"[10]
Some time later, the minister Cheng Xia tried to persuade Shi Le to reduce Shi Hu's power. He failed and went to Xu Guang, warning him "The Prince of Zhongshan (Shi Hu) has long held a grudge against the two of us. I fear that not only is the state in danger, but even our families will suffer misfortune." Xu Guang thus took his chance at convincing Shi Le to do so. When he approached Shi Le, Shi was worried that he would not conquer the southlands before his death. Xu Guang said to him:[11]
"When Wei inherited the mandate from Han, although Liu Bei established himself in Shu, Han certainly did not still exist! And the Li clan of our time is only the same as Sun Quan of Wu from back then. Your Majesty holds the two capitals, and has pacified eight provinces. If Your Majesty does not hold the mandate to rule, then who else can claim to? "Rather than fear external troubles, Your Majesty should be concerned with sickness from within. The Prince of Zhongshan, relying upon Your Majesty's power and shrewdness, has vanquished all whom he has faced. All the world says that no one but Your Majesty can surpass him in soldierly bearing. Furthermore, he is cruel by nature and lacks benevolence, seeking personal gains and ignoring what is just. He and his sons all occupy positions of authority, and their influence overpowers that of your imperial line; yet even so, he still broods and often harbors resentment, for his heart is not satisfied. At a recent feast in the Eastern Palace, he looked upon the Crown Prince with contempt. I fear that after Your Majesty is no more, the fortunes of your line might not be maintained."
Shi Le finally decided to take some action to increase Shi Hong's power. Shi Le allowed him to review petitions from ministers with the Palace Regular Attendant Yan Zhen (嚴震) acting as a supervisor. However, this was still not enough to completely diminish Shi Hu's influence. Shi Hu eventually found out of this decision and begrudged Xu Guang, which would eventually lead to Xu's demise. Shi Le passed away on the 17th of August in 333. Almost immediately, Shi Hu seized Shi Hong and took over the government. Xu Guang and Cheng Xia were arrested by Shi Hu and brought before the Minister of Justice. Shi Hu granted a general amnesty but left out Xu Guang and Cheng Xia, who were both executed for defying him.[12]
References
- ^ (彌戰與劉曜、石勒等攻魏郡、汲郡、頓丘，陷五十餘壁，皆調為軍士。) Book of Jin, Volume 100
- ^ (又《後趙錄》曰：徐光字季武，頓丘人。父聰，以牛醫爲業。光幼好學，有文才。年十三，嘉平中王陽攻頓丘，掠之，令主秣馬，光但書柱爲詩賦，而不親馬事。陽怒，撻之，啼呼終夜不止。左右以白陽，陽召光，付紙筆，光立爲頌，陽奇之。) Taiping Yulan, Volume 384
- ^ (勒升其廳事，命甲士執浚，立之于前，使徐光讓浚曰：「君位冠元臺，爵列上公，據幽都驍悍之國，跨全燕突騎之鄉，手握強兵，坐觀京師傾覆，不救天子，而欲自尊。又專任姦暴，殺害忠良，肆情恣欲，毒遍燕壤。自貽于此，非為天也。」) Book of Jin, Volume 104
- ^ (季龍遣使送續於勒，勒使使徐光讓之曰：「國家應符撥亂，八表宅心，遺晉怖威，遠竄揚越。而續蟻封海阿，跋扈王命，以夷狄不足為君邪？何無上之甚也！國有常刑，于分甘乎？」續對曰：「晉末饑亂，奔控無所，保合鄉宗，庶全老幼。屬大王龍飛之始，委命納質，精誠無感，不蒙慈恕。言歸遺晉，仍荷寵授，誓盡忠節，實無二心。且受彼厚榮，而復二三其趣者，恐亦不容于明朝矣。周文生於東夷，大禹出於西羌，帝王之興，蓋惟天命所屬，德之所招，當何常邪！伏惟大王聖武自天，道隆虞夏，凡在含生，孰不延首神化，恥隔皇風，而況囚乎！使囚去真即偽，不得早叩天門者，大王負囚，囚不負大王也。釁鼓之刑，囚之恆分，但恨天實為之，謂之何哉！」勒曰：「其言慨至，孤愧之多矣。夫忠於其君者，乃吾所求也。」) Book of Jin, Volume 63
- ^ (勒如苑鄉，召記室參軍徐光，光醉不至。以光物情所湊，常不平之，因此發怒，退為牙門。勒自苑鄉如鄴，徐光侍直，慍然攘袂振紛，仰視不顧。勒因而惡之，讓光曰：「何負卿而敢怏怏邪！」於是幽光並其妻子于獄。) Book of Jin, Volume 105
- ^ (冬，十一月，後趙王勒欲自將救洛陽，僚佐程遐等固諫曰：「劉曜懸軍千里，勢不支久。大王不宜親動，動無萬全。」勒大怒，按劍叱遐等出。乃赦徐光，召而謂之曰：「劉曜乘一戰之勝，圍守洛陽，庸人之情皆謂其鋒不可當。曜帶甲十萬，攻一城而百日不克，師老卒怠，以我初銳擊之，可一戰而擒也。若洛陽不守，曜必送死冀州，自河已北，席卷而來，吾事去矣。程遐等不欲吾行，卿以爲何如？」對曰：「劉曜乘高候之勢，不能進臨襄國，更守金墉，此其無能爲可知也。以大王威略臨之，彼必望旗奔敗。平定天下，在今一舉，不可失也。」勒笑曰：「光言是也。」乃使內外戒嚴，有諫者斬。命石堪、石聰及豫州刺史桃豹等各統見衆會滎陽；中山公虎進據石門，勒自統步騎四萬趣金墉，濟自大堨。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 94
- ^ (曜見勒曰：「石王，頗憶重門之盟否？」勒使徐光謂之曰：「今日之事，天使其然，復云何邪！」) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 94
- ^ (弘虛衿愛士，好為文詠，其所親昵，莫非儒素。勒謂徐光曰：「大雅愔愔，殊不似將家子。」光曰：「漢祖以馬上得天下，孝文以玄默守之。聖人之後，必世勝殘，天之道也。」勒大悅。程遐言於勒曰：「中山怏怏，不可以輔少主，乞早除之，以便大計。」勒不從。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 2
- ^ (夏，趙主勒如鄴，將營新宮；廷尉上黨續咸苦諫，勒怒，欲斬之。中書令徐光曰：「咸言不可用，亦當容之，柰何一旦以直言斬列卿乎！」勒嘆曰：「爲人君，不得自專如是乎！匹夫家貲滿百匹，猶欲市宅，況富有四海乎！此宮終當營之，且敕停作，以成吾直臣之氣。」) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 94
- ^ (三年正月，大饗於建德殿，酒酣，勒謂徐光曰：「朕方自古開基，何等上也？」光對曰：「陛下神武，籌略邁于高皇，雄藝卓犖，超絕魏武，三五以來，無可比也。其軒轅之亞乎！」勒笑曰：「人豈不自知，卿言亦已太過。朕若逢高皇，當北面而事之，然猶與韓、彭競健而爭先耳。倘遇光武，當並驅于中原，未知鹿死誰手。大丈夫行事當磊磊落落，如日月皎然，終不能如曹孟德、司馬仲達，欺他孤兒寡婦，狐媚以取天下也。朕在二劉之間耳，軒轅豈所擬乎？」羣臣皆稱萬歲。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 2
- ^ (遐退，告徐光，光曰：「中山王常切齒於吾二人，恐非但危國，亦將為家禍也。」它日，光承間言於勒曰：「今國家無事，而陛下神色若有不怡，何也？」勒曰：「吳、蜀未平，吾恐後世不以吾為受命之王也。」光曰：「魏承漢運，劉備雖興於蜀，漢豈得為不亡乎！孫權在吳，猶今之李氏也。陛下苞括二都，平蕩八州，帝王之統不在陛下，復當在誰！且陛下不憂腹心之疾，而更憂四支乎！中山王藉陛下威略，所向輒克，而天下皆言其英武亞於陛下。且其資性不仁，見利忘義，父子並據權位，勢傾王室；而耿耿常有不滿之心。近於東宮侍宴，有輕皇太子之色。臣恐陛下萬年之後，不可複製也。」勒默然，始命太子省可尚書奏事，且以中常侍嚴震參綜可否，惟征伐斷斬大事乃呈之。於是嚴震之權過於主相，中山王虎之門可設雀羅矣。虎愈怏怏不悅。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 95
- ^ (勒死，虎擅誅右光祿大夫程遐、中書令徐光，遣子邃率兵入大雅宮，直衞文武皆奔散。大雅大懼，自陳弱劣，讓位于虎。虎曰：「若其不堪，天下自當有大義，何足豫論。」遂逼立之。) Book of Northern Wei, Volume 95
- Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.
- Cui, Hong (501-522). Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms (Shiliuguo Chunqiu)