..續本文上一頁則》，在她身後廣爲流傳，一直到清朝，都還是後宮女子必讀的課程呢！即便在今日男女平起平坐的時代，書上敘述的某些禮儀規矩，雖嫌迂腐落伍不複存在必要；但其原則道理，還是很值得現代婦女參考的。
During the time that she led the six imperial harems, she served as a role model. Imprudent and boastful people, incidents of jealousy and disarray were absent in these palaces. Queen Zhang Sun”s remarkably virtuous conduct made her an exemplary archetype for women. The Guide for Women was widely circulated after her death. Up until the Qing Dynasty, women in imperial palaces were required to read this manual! Even in the current era of equality between the sexes, modern women may still find this handbook a worthwhile reference for noteworthy rationale and principles behind some of its arcane rites and rules.
接下來，我們再說那個令唐太宗又敬又畏的魏征。唐太宗固然是聖明天子，能夠虛心納谏；魏征對于唐太宗的寵信，也是又慶幸又感恩，因此也更加盡心盡力。舉凡有利邦國或有損君主的事情，魏征無不盡其能谏之事；對魏征的勸谏，唐太宗也總是讓他有暢所欲言之快。言路既開，賢者自來，唐朝想要不興旺也難。
Next, we”ll talk about Wei Zheng, whom Emperor Taizong feared yet respected. Although Emperor Taizong was a holy and understanding son of the heavens who accepted suggestions humbly, Wei Zheng was still glad about and grateful for the emperor”s partiality and trust. Consequently, Wei Zheng dedicated himself wholeheartedly, providing a thorough critique on any matter that benefited other countries or harmed the monarch. Emperor Taizong always let Wei Zheng speak his mind too. Since the path of free speech existed, worthy people were attracted to this ruler, and the Tang Dynasty had no choice but to flourish.
魏征死後，唐太宗親臨痛哭，廢朝五日，並下令厚葬魏征。而守正不阿的魏征，也有個賢德清廉的夫人，她竟然婉拒唐太宗賜予的殊榮，說﹕「征平生節儉樸素，如今用一品厚葬，不是亡者之志。」結果只用布車運棺。
After Wei Zheng”s death, Emperor Taizong personally arrived and grieved in pain. The emperor failed to govern national affairs for five days and mandated an elaborate funeral for Wei Zheng. The just and incorruptible Wei Zheng also had a virtuous and fair wife. Mrs. Wei actually rejected the Emperor”s bequest of honor, saying, "Zheng was typically economical and simple. If we perform the funeral of the highest grade, then that would go against the wish of the deceased. " As a result, only cloth carriages were used to transport the casket.
出殡之日，唐太宗下诏百官送出城郊，自己登樓望喪，痛哭不已。唐太宗說﹕「人有叁面鏡子﹕以銅片(那時還沒有玻璃鏡)爲鏡，可以把衣帽穿戴端正；以曆史爲鏡，可以知道往來興替；以人爲鏡，可以觀察自己得失。我常保有這叁面鏡子，以防止過錯和疏忽；魏征一走，我喪失最寶貴的一面鏡子了！」唐太宗一生內無後宮之亂，外則賢能滿朝，把有唐一代，帶到太平盛世。
On the day of the funeral procession, the emperor ordered all ministers and officials to accompany the casket out to the countryside while he ascended atop a tower to watch the funeral, crying uncontrollably. Emperor Taizong said, "Each person has three mirrors. Using the mirror of copper (glass mirrors didn”t exist yet), one can dress appropriately. Using the mirror of history, one recognizes the successes and failures of the past and present. Using the mirror of people, one examines one”s own merits and faults. I always keep these three mirrors around to prevent mistakes and negligence. With the departure of Wei Zheng, I have lost one of my most precious mirrors!" It is no wonder that during Emperor Taizong”s lifetime he had no stirrings among his harems and capable sages filled his imperial court.
這並非只是唐太宗個人特別能幹；曆史上能幹的君王也不算少了，但像唐太宗這樣德智過人，知道親賢後，納谏臣的，卻是不多，毋怪乎他能成就曠世的豐功偉業。
It was not only through his own competence that this Emperor led the Tang Dynasty to peace and prosperity. Historically, there were plenty of gifted monarchs; however, there were few rulers who were virtuous and wise like Emperor Taizong. There was only a handful of heads of state who knew to cherish an exemplary queen and accept a minister”s admonition. Thus, it was no surprise that Emperor Taizong built an empire that reached heights incomparable in the world and throughout history.
我們平常人若想進德修業，也是要「親仁者；遠小人」。語雲﹕「物以類聚。」我們行仁者之事，仁者自然來相親；仁者來相親，德業會更進步。反之，我們行小人之事，小人自然來相親；小人來相親，德業就會漸頹廢。所以有德君子，總有良師益友和佳偶；無行小人，每多邪師損友與妖姬。
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