..续本文上一页则》，在她身后广为流传，一直到清朝，都还是后宫女子必读的课程呢！即便在今日男女平起平坐的时代，书上叙述的某些礼仪规矩，虽嫌迂腐落伍不复存在必要；但其原则道理，还是很值得现代妇女参考的。
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.
接下来，我们再说那个令唐太宗又敬又畏的魏征。唐太宗固然是圣明天子，能够虚心纳谏；魏征对于唐太宗的宠信，也是又庆幸又感恩，因此也更加尽心尽力。举凡有利邦国或有损君主的事情，魏征无不尽其能谏之事；对魏征的劝谏，唐太宗也总是让他有畅所欲言之快。言路既开，贤者自来，唐朝想要不兴旺也难。
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.
魏征死后，唐太宗亲临痛哭，废朝五日，并下令厚葬魏征。而守正不阿的魏征，也有个贤德清廉的夫人，她竟然婉拒唐太宗赐予的殊荣，说﹕「征平生节俭朴素，如今用一品厚葬，不是亡者之志。」结果只用布车运棺。
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，自己登楼望丧，痛哭不已。唐太宗说﹕「人有三面镜子﹕以铜片(那时还没有玻璃镜)为镜，可以把衣帽穿戴端正；以历史为镜，可以知道往来兴替；以人为镜，可以观察自己得失。我常保有这三面镜子，以防止过错和疏忽；魏征一走，我丧失最宝贵的一面镜子了！」唐太宗一生内无后宫之乱，外则贤能满朝，把有唐一代，带到太平盛世。
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.
这并非只是唐太宗个人特别能干；历史上能干的君王也不算少了，但像唐太宗这样德智过人，知道亲贤后，纳谏臣的，却是不多，毋怪乎他能成就旷世的丰功伟业。
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.
我们平常人若想进德修业，也是要「亲仁者；远小人」。语云﹕「物以类聚。」我们行仁者之事，仁者自然来相亲；仁者来相亲，德业会更进步。反之，我们行小人之事，小人自然来相亲；小人来相亲，德业就会渐颓废。所以有德君子，总有良师益友和佳偶；无行小人，每多邪师损友与妖姬。
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