魏徵於政治場域的中正之道：以《貞觀政要》中的君臣對話為視點

Wei Zheng's Path of Moderation in the Political Arena: Insights from Emperor-Minister Conversations in Zhenguan Zhengyao

魏徵作為中國歷代著名的政治家，以歷史上呈現的治國成果而言，確實值得讚許。此處可由《貞觀政要》中所見，唐朝由隋末的亂局中更迭，起初一匹絹僅能換到一斗米，民生狀況如文中所載。然而，依照記載，在唐太宗與群臣的治理之下直至貞觀三年，一斗米僅三四錢2。民生狀況恢復甚快，依照文本前、後文之記載推斷，明顯強調了唐朝初年國家狀態的轉變。筆者以為貞觀盛世並非歷史中完全的偶然與隨機，貞觀君臣間興許是做對了甚麼，進而提升了盛世的可能。故本文以《貞觀政要》中的魏徵作為貞觀初年的關鍵視野，嘗試以戰國以降的中正之道分析魏徵於《貞觀政要》中的幾項關鍵且重要的言行判斷，進而梳理為人臣者於政治場域中，以中正之道為軸的修養工夫路徑與治國之思。

Wei Zheng, a renowned statesman throughout Chinese history, is undoubtedly worthy of praise, particularly when considering the results of governance achieved during his era. This is evident in the records of the Zhenguan Zhengyao (Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Reign), which show that following the turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the subsequent transition to the Tang Dynasty, the initial civilian conditions were dire, as documented: a bolt of silk could only be exchanged for one dou of rice. However, according to the same records, under the rule of Emperor Taizong and his ministers, by the third year of the Zhenguan reign, one dou of rice cost only three or four qian. The swift recovery of the people's livelihood, when inferred from the texts preceding and following these records, clearly underscores the profound transformation of the state in the early Tang Dynasty. The author suggests that the Flourishing Age of Zhenguan was not entirely a historical accident or coincidence; the ruler and ministers of Zhenguan likely adopted certain successful measures that enhanced the possibility of this prosperous era. Therefore, this paper focuses on Wei Zheng, as depicted in the Zhenguan Zhengyao, as a key perspective in the early Zhenguan period. It attempts to analyze several critical and important judgments and actions of Wei Zheng based on the concept of the Doctrine of the Mean and Rectitude, a tradition dating back to the Warring States period. Ultimately, this analysis aims to elucidate the path of self-cultivation and the governing philosophy centered on the Doctrine of the Mean and Rectitude for a minister in the political sphere.