The famous general Guo Ziyi of the Tang Dynasty has a very high evaluation in history. The "Old Tang Book·Guo Ziyi Biography" said: "The power is overwhelmed by the world, but the power is overwhelming. The master does not doubt it. The test of wealth and honor, the reproduction of Antai, the sorrow and the glory, the prosperity of humanity, there is no shortage." This is almost the highest evaluation that a minister can get.
The reason why Guo Ziyi was able to die even when his power was high is because his perfect personality played a huge role.
(Guo Ziyi)
For example, Guo Ziyi is very generous to his subordinates, he does not hesitate to reward and promote meritorious officials, and he can also do good work and not avoid enemies. In the early years, Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi were very uncomfortable, sitting together to eat and did not speak, but after the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, Guo Ziyi immediately played the court and recommended Li Guangbi who could conquer the battle. His actions were unanimously supported by the lieutenants.
Guo Ziyi repayed his enemies with virtue. During the Dali years, Guo Ziyi's family ancestor's grave was dug up. This was a major event in feudal society. The suspect pointed at Guo Ziyi's old enemy eunuch Yu Chaoen. However, Guo Ziyi laughed and said that he had killed too many people and was condemned by heaven. Then Yu Chaoen invited him to dinner. Guo Ziyi did not worry about the possibility of a "Hongmen Banquet", and moved Yu Chaoen to let him go.
Guo Ziyi was cautious towards the emperor, never relied on merits or arrogance. He repeatedly asked to resign from his official position, and was at ease at home, which made the emperor very at ease.
(Tang Suzong stills)
However, are things really so harmonious and beautiful? Feudal emperors always regarded the supreme imperial power as a prohibition, and once someone offended it, they would fight it the most fiercely.
In the Suzong and Daizong dynasties where Guo Ziyi was active, the biggest problem facing the emperor was that the Jidu envoys provoked the imperial power. In fact, whether Anlushan and Shi Siming in the early stage, or the three towns of Heshuo in the latter part of the separatist regime, their essence is no different from Guo Ziyi, they are all heavily armed feudal towns with different names.
An American historian once said: The most difficult task in studying history is to forget what we know, and to reexamine the past with some basic questions. Sometimes, we will confirm a lot of previous beliefs; but sometimes, under different perspectives, we will present new highlights.
(Guo Ziyi stills)
In such a complicated situation of struggle between the Su and the dynasties, on the question of why Guo Ziyi, who is the master of high meritorious powers, can end well, we need to take a different approach Looking at it from the perspective:
One, Bing Quan
After the Anshi Rebellion began, the military struggle for the purpose of suppressing the rebellion became the central goal of Datang, and the army became the most important resource at that time.
After the defeat of the 200,000 army of Geshuhan Lingbao, the Shuofang army led by Guo Ziyi has been an important military force on which the empire relies. Suzong went north to Lingwu, and it was Guo Ziyi's Shuofang army who defected. Later, led by the Tang Daizong who was still the king of Quang Binh, the main force in the restoration of the two capitals in one fell swoop was also Guo Ziyi's Shuo Fang army. This established Guo Ziyi's lofty position in the Tang Dynasty, but it also buried the hidden danger of being a master of high power. After
, the three emperors of Su, Dai, and Germany have been thinking about cutting off Guo Ziyi's military power, but they have never been able to do so.
Suzong took advantage of Yecheng's defeat to seize Guo Ziyi's military power and handed it to Li Guangbi. But two and a half years later, when Hedong was in great chaos, Suzong had to re-enable Guo Ziyi to serve as the Jiedu envoy of the four towns including Hedong, and also became the king of Fenyang.
After Daizong came to power, in order to stabilize the imperial power, Guo Ziyi could not wait to lift the military power again. But a year and two months later, Tubo approached Chang'an. Daizong, who had no soldiers in his hand, could only use Guo Ziyi's prestige once again to appoint him as deputy marshal of the Guannei to fight against Tubo. From then on, Guo Ziyi never let go of the military power until after Dezong ascended the throne, when Guo Ziyi, who was already 83 years old, was no longer able to threaten the imperial power, he was relieved of military power.
In essence, in the 23 years when Guo Ziyi held great power after the Anshi Rebellion, the only days when he did not hold military powerJust three years and eight months.
Because, on the one hand, Guo Ziyi has the value of being used by the emperor; on the other hand, Guo Ziyi's deeds are also passable for the sake of face, so the emperor will not, nor dare to use too much force, for fear that he will be forced. To put it bluntly, only with soldiers in hand can the waist be hard, even the emperor has to accommodate.
(Stills of the Tang Dynasty)
Second, foresight
As a powerful and respected imperial unit, after the supreme minister, is Guo Ziyi Have no thoughts of rebellion? People's desires are endless. "Riding on donkeys and mules, thinking of horses, and resident officials looking at the princes." Since ancient times, officials in the court do not yearn for greater power. Even Guo Ziyi's servants, Gu Huai'en and Li Huaiguang, rebelled.
Actually, this is Guo Ziyi's truly brilliant place. In the prevailing language at the time, Li Tang was still "destined to heaven"; in the current words, the contradiction between the ruling class and the ruled class at that time had not been completely intensified, and the Li Tang royal family had not lost the hearts of the people. The previous An Lushan and Shi Siming, and later Pu Gu Huai'en and Zhou Zhiguang all failed. Guo Ziyi keenly discovered this early on.
（郭子仪）
Facing the royal family who still has some appeal and control, Guo Ziyi kept a low profile and showed weakness. He chose the wisest way to save himself and his family. . This behavior requires not only superb wisdom and a clear mind, but also a strong determination to face desires.
For example, during the tenure of Emperor Xuanzong Tang, the Anshi Rebellion that almost destroyed the Tang Dynasty broke out. Why do later generations still say that he is an outstanding statesman? To a large extent, he was able to give unconditional support to his son Suzong when he was privately enthroned in Lingwu in his later years. Although he was reluctant in his heart, he knew that a young and powerful emperor was more suitable for commanding rebellion than his old man.
At the critical moment, if you can afford it, you have to be able to put it down, and the latter is often more important. This is the fundamental difference between politicians and politicians. Guo Ziyi is such an excellent politician.
(Tang Xuanzong stills)
Perfect personality can increase charm, but in the intriguing political struggle, in the complicated war environment, Guo Ziyi can end well. Great strength and extraordinary vision. (Text: Xiongyu laughs at himself)
A simple insight, so you can be right in Fang's house.
Reference materials: "New Tang Book", "Old Tang Book", "Tong Jian of Zizhi".
