Book II 227As we quietly reviewed the appointment system of the Tang dynasty, we
found that academicians, who wrote imperial decrees of appointment, tried
to avoid writing them when they found the appointments inappropriate; and
even if the decrees were sent down to the Censorate, it happened that they
were audacious enough to return them after sealing them in an envelope.
The reason that they acted in this way was to prevent incompetent people
from entering public service by luck. Therefore, even if the officials of the
Censorate at the moment try to avoid approving the appointment of offi-
cials, it is not that they ignore the royal order of Your Majesty. Their inten -
tion is only to assist you with choosing the right people for the government.
“Your Majesty tells us to speak out against your appointment of officials
when a mistake is made, but it is possible only when a wise sovereign such
as yourself is alive to rule the country and good subjects are available to
assist you so there is no hindrance to communication between the ruler and
the ruled. However, if it happens in later generations that the order and dis-
cipline among officials deteriorate and cunning and powerful officials abuse
their power at will, who would risk his life to remonstrate with the king and
correct wrongs, even if there were loyal subjects such as Wei Zheng^107 and
Yang Cheng?^108
“We earnestly urge Your Majesty to restore the old system of reviewing
candidates for office that was entrusted to the Censorate and at the same
time prevented cunning people from serving in the Censorate. Then the
honor of public office (myŏnggi) will be preserved from defilement, and the
distinction between encouragement and discouragement will be made clear.
As a result, both wise and foolish people can be assigned to the posts in
accordance with their abilities, which will set a good example for future
generations.”
The king replied, “The law of the previous dynasty with regard to the
confirmation procedure for appointment had some inconveniences, which
needed to be changed. From this day forward, in the case of officials above
rank 4, I will personally bestow the certificates of appointment. In the case
- The statesman of the Tang dynasty who served as chancellor for thirteen years. He was
famous for his outspokenness against mistakes committed by Emperor Taizong; nevertheless,
he was trusted and respected by the emperor until his death. - An imperial scholar during the reign of Dezong (742–805 AD) of the Tang dynasty. In
795, after the former chancellor Lu Zhi and several of his associates were exiled due to false
accusations by Emperor Dezong’s favorite, Pei Yanling, he led a group of junior officials in
petitioning Emperor Dezong concerning Lu’s innocence, drawing the emperor’s ire.