佛祖統紀 43.35

43.35

The eulogy states: Emperor Gaozu of the Han took the world together with Han [Xin] and Peng [Yue]; when evaluating merits and distributing rewards, he enfeoffed them as kings of dozens of cities, yet they successively rebelled and were ultimately executed. Emperor Guangwu enfeoffed meritorious ministers such as Deng Yu and his peers, the largest of which did not exceed several counties; because they were easy to control, superiors and subordinates had no divergent aims. How wise! In how our Taizu skillfully handled heroes: he caused Shi Shouxin and the other ten brothers of the Righteous Association to relinquish their military authority amid wine cups and smiling conversation, enjoying stipends in their private residences and preserving the rest of their lives. Above, he did not fail imperial benevolence; below, they did not fail their duties as ministers—far surpassing the rulers and ministers of the two Han dynasties! As for living secluded deep within the palace, constantly reciting Buddhist scriptures yet wishing to let the armored troops know only that he read military treatises, this was yet another benevolent art of maintaining majesty and protecting the realm. How wise!