唐代文人對君臣倫理的省思與書寫

Abstract

清人趙翼嘗謂唐人君臣大義不明，「至宋以後，始知以忠義為重」。本論文對此存疑，故先擇要陳述先秦與六朝對君臣倫理的看法，接著從初、盛、中、晚四個階段的文人書寫，觀察他們在不同時代背景下，對於君臣職分、君臣互動提出何種規範與要求。發現唐代文人基本上延續了儒家君臣倫理重視互動與和合的精神。首先，貞觀君臣建構了君臣一體、共治天下的相處模式，改善了六朝時期相對薄弱的君臣倫理，成為唐人再三借鑒、取法的典範。其次，安史之亂後，唐代文人對君臣倫理的要求更嚴。盛唐文人雖認可接受安史偽職者「虛死不如立節」的抉擇，但亦提出人臣當報君恩、正身守位，以死全節的主張。中唐文人則批判不死的抉擇，轉而彰顯「義重於死」、「有死無二」的價值，對臣節的要求更為嚴格。面對藩鎮割據，中唐文人強調「君臣定位不可易」，反對僭越犯上的行徑。到了晚唐，藩鎮勢凌天子，文人反對朝廷姑息之策，更強烈批判僭越犯上的行為，並提出「不為下國傾天子」而忠於唐室的主張。及至唐末，民不聊生，文人又憤而提出「扼其吭，捽其首」，推翻無道君主的革命主張，批判更為激烈！可見，唐人回歸儒家傳統，重建君臣倫理的意圖很強，並非不知忠義。

Zhao Yi (1727-1814) suggested that people in Tang China failed to understand the essential meanings of ruler-minister relationship, while loyalism was highly valued in dynasties after the Song. To challenge Zhao’s viewpoint, this study explores the ruler-minister ethics in pre-Qin period and Six Dynasties, then analyzes relating literati writings during Early, High, Mid, and Late Tang, thereby indicating what kind of norms and demands regarding ruler-minister political responsibilities and interactions were proposed in different periods. Through examination, this study argues that Tang literati inherited the spirit of Confucian ruler-minister ethics that emphasized on interaction and harmony. First, ruler and ministers in the Zhenguan period developed an ideal interaction mode of unity and joint governance, by which altered the relatively weak ruler-minister ethics in Six Dynasties and established a paradigm for political elites throughout the Tang dynasty. Secondly, after the An-Shi Rebellion, there were increasing stringent demands on ruler-minister ethics. Although High Tang literati could agree with the idea of “to accomplish meritorious action rather than to die gratuitously” stated by ministers who were forced to serve in the An-Shi administration, they also claimed that ministers should repay the ruler’s kindness, stand firmly in his position, or reach martyrdom. In contrast, Mid Tang literati criticized those who rejected to die and highlighted the value of “righteousness is more important than death”. It shows that they demanded more rigorously on ministers’ morality. As the court failed in suppressing its powerful military districts, Mid Tang literati emphasized that the positions of ruler and minister are unchangeable and opposed against the usurpations of ruler's authority. In the Late Tang, Literati saw the autonomous provinces as reproachable, for they challenged the power of the emperor; thus, they were against the appeasement policy taken by the court. Furthermore, they held sharper criticism against the usurpation of ruler’s power and argued that one should be loyal to imperial court rather than assist the lower provinces to topple the emperor. In the last days of the Tang, during which people suffered from privation, literati indignantly advocated the suggestion of overthrowing the tyrannical emperor. This fact shows that their critics are much more intense comparing to previous periods. Overall, this study contends that the Tang literati had a strong intention to return to the Confucianism tradition and to rebuild the ruler-minister ethics. They were not as unaware of the loyalism as scholars declared.