法苑珠林 53.20

53.20

Zhao Zheng, a minister under Fu Jian of the Qin and Grand Administrator of Wuwei, set his will on loyal governance and greatly promoted the Buddhadharma. When Fu Jian was first defeated and armed uprisings arose on every side, foreign rebels gave free rein to violence, and the common people fled in all directions. Yet that the great scriptures could be transmitted and translated was entirely through the efforts of Zhao Zheng. Furthermore, Zheng, whose courtesy name was Wenye, was a native of Changshui in Luoyang, or, as some say, a native of Jiyin. At the age of eighteen, he became an Editorial Director under the illegitimate Qin. Later, he was promoted to Palace Attendant and then Grand Administrator of Wuwei. By nature he was beardless and emaciated; he had a wife and concubines but no children, so people of his time called him a eunuch. However, he was quick-witted and discerning in temperament, his learning spanning both the inner [Buddhist] and outer [secular] teachings. He was fond of satirical remonstrance, never shying away from speaking out. In his later years, Fu Jian was besotted by the Xianbei and grew negligent in state affairs. Thereupon [Zhao Zheng] admonished him in song, singing: