釋鑑稽古略續集 3.8

3.8

江北蝗有司請捕。上曰。朕以不德致蝗。又殺蝗以重朕過。臣民極言朕失。俾得改。赦疑獄捐逋租。周窮乏以修實政。蝗不為災。更有秋　八月祭告天地祖宗告出征也。戒北征諸將士曰。昔蕭繹舉兵入京。而令其下曰。一門之內自極兵威。不仁之極今爾。將士與燕王對壘。務體此意。無使朕負殺叔父名　程濟初。以北方兵起議。為妄言繫獄。赦之擢為翰林。充軍師護北征　贈王褘為翰林學士。諡文節。

North of the Yangtze, locusts appeared, and the authorities requested permission to catch them. The Emperor said, 'It is through our lack of virtue that we have brought about the locusts; to kill the locusts would further compound our fault. Let the officials and people speak exhaustively of our failings so that we may correct them.' He pardoned doubtful court cases, remitted delinquent taxes, and aided the destitute so as to cultivate real governance. The locusts did not cause a calamity, and there was an abundant autumn harvest. In the eighth month, an announcement of the military expedition was made in sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestors. Admonishing the generals and soldiers marching north, he said, 'In the past, Xiao Yi raised troops to enter the capital and commanded his subordinates: "Within our own house, military might has reached its limit; this is the height of inhumanity." Now, as you generals and soldiers confront the Prince of Yan, strive to embody this intention, and do not cause us to bear the reputation of having killed our own uncle.' Cheng Ji had earlier been imprisoned for wild talk because he had predicted that troops would arise in the north; he was pardoned, promoted to the Hanlin Academy, and made a military strategist to accompany the northern expedition. Wang Wei was posthumously awarded the title of Hanlin Academician with the posthumous name Wenjie.