Avoid Eloquent Speakers, Employ the Honest and Dutiful
 
Emperor Wen, Liu Heng (202 – 157 BC), was the third emperor of the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). He was the third son of founding Emperor Gaozu, Liu Bang, and the younger brother of second Emperor Hui, Liu Ying. After Emperor Hui passed away, Empress Dowager Lu attempted to consolidate power to her own kin and crowned an official young emperor. After she died, her relatives Lu Chan and Lu Lu began a coup to seize the throne. With the support of Zhou Bo and Chen Ping, Liu Heng was able defeat the Lu forces. He ascended the throne to become Emperor Wen. Over his reign of 23 years, Emperor Wen is considered one of the most benevolent rulers in Chinese history. His reign and that of his son, Emperor Jing, are often collectively known as the “Rule of Wen and Jing.” Their governing was renowned for its general stability and relaxed laws.
 
Zhang Shizi was a minister in charge of judicial matters during Emperor Wen’s rule. He was from Duyang County, Nanyang City, which is now called Fangcheng County.
 
According to historical records, Zhang once escorted Emperor Wen on a horseback tour. When they passed a bridge, a person appeared from underneath the bridge. This startled the emperor’s horse and he almost fell off. Emperor Wen was furious. He ordered the person to be arrested for punishment by Zhang Shizi. After Zhang questioned the person, he sentenced the person to pay a fine. Emperor Wen was quite dissatisfied with this outcome, thinking that the person should be given the death penalty for almost killing the emperor.
 
Zhang explained that, the emperor had the right to execute the person on the spot. However, if the person was sent to me, then I must abide by the law and decide accordingly. The country has clear laws. As the enforcer of the law, how could I not follow the law? Based on the law, this person’s mistake should be punished by a fine, and that is what I have sentenced. It is definitely not a light sentence. After Emperor Wen found Zhang’s explanation reasonable, so he agreed with the decision.
 
Another story comes from <Records of the Han Historian: Biography of Zhang Shizi>. This story describes Emperor Wen's ability to accept criticism, whereby he avoided the mistake of choosing an articulate speaker over someone who possessed the proper capabilities and talents.
 
One time, Emperor Wen visited the royal park to look at the animals. While he stood in front of the tiger cage, he asked the park ranger questions about the animals. The ranger was unable to provide the answers immediately. The animal caretaker was nearby, and he quickly pushed his way forward to answer the emperor's questions. Emperor Wen was very pleased to hear the answers, and he ordered his minister, Zhang Shizhi, to promote the animal caretaker and replace the park ranger.
 
Zhang Shizhi said to the emperor, “Both Zhou Bo and Zhang Xiangru hold important positions at the royal court and are well respected by others. However, neither of them are eloquent speakers. If your majesty promotes the animal caretaker only because he is an articulate speaker and knows how to please his superiors, then others might follow suit. Everyone might try to improve their speech and not be as mindful of their duties. I ask your highness to consider the consequences.” Emperor Wen thought Zhang Shizhi's words made sense and thus withdrew his order.
 
There seems to be an on-going issue since ancient times in regards to employing the proper person for a job. One often gauges a person's ability by the way he speaks, which can sometimes be a serious mistake. Some people utilize their ability to speak in order to flatter their superiors. Others attempt to uncover their boss's likes and dislikes and then speak to them with the intention of fulfilling their own self-interests.
 
The animal caretaker was that kind of person. He overstepped his superior and spoke on his boss's behalf to the emperor. He was showing off his knowledge, and instead of being humble and kindly to help his superior, he almost replaced him. He failed to act out of kindness and did not know when to back down. Zhang Shizhi was selfless, observant, fair, and not easily swayed by smooth talkers. The emperor was fortunate to have Zhang by his side, and his timely reminder kept the emperor from falling for the deception.
 
不用利口 本份厚道
 
汉文帝名刘恒，是汉朝的第三代皇帝，高祖刘邦的第三子，汉惠帝刘盈弟，其母薄姬。他起初被立为代王，建都晋阳。惠帝死后，吕后立非正统的少帝。吕后死，吕产、吕禄企图发动政变，夺取帝位。高祖中子刘恒，在周勃、陈平的支持下，诛灭了诸吕势力，登上皇帝宝座，是为汉文帝。汉文帝刘恒在位二十三年，与汉景帝并称为“文景之治”。
 
张释之是西汉汉文帝时期的大臣，官任廷尉，负责管理全国司法方面的事务。他是南阳堵阳县人，也就是现在的河南方城东人。
 
史书记载，有一次，张释之随同文帝骑马外出，经过一座桥，这个时候，正赶上一个人从桥下出来，文帝的马因此受了惊，文帝差点摔下来。文帝十分气愤，于是下令把他逮捕，交给廷尉张释之来处理。张释之问明详细的情况之后，只是判这个人交纳了一定的罚金。文帝对这样的处理结果很不满意，认为这个人惊吓了自己的马，差点害死自己，实在是判处得太轻了，应该判处死刑才是。
 
张释之解释说，如果陛下因为他惊驾，当时便就地处决了他，是完全可以的。但是将这个人送到我这里来处理，我就必须执法公正才是。国家有明确的法律规定，我作为执法者，自己怎么可以不按照法令随意处置呢？这个人的过失，按照法律就是应该判处罚金，所以自己才这样处理，而绝不是轻判。汉文帝听到后，认为他说得有道理，于是就遵照他的处理方法去执行了。
 
本则故事，出自《史记﹒张释之冯唐列传》。这个故事，讲述了汉文帝善于纳谏，从而避免了在任用人才的时候因为人的“利口”而提拔不当，这样的一件事情。
 
有一次，汉文帝在上林苑看动物。他登上虎圈看虎时，向陪同的上林尉（官职名）询问有关动物的情况，例如包括一些禽兽的数目之类的问题。上林尉一时答不上来。这时，在一旁的管禽兽的啬夫（下级小官）就挤到前面，取代上林尉，回答皇帝的问题，而且把各种禽兽的数目以及相关的情况，一口气说得清清楚楚。汉文帝听完后非常高兴，便对身边随行的大臣张释之，下令要任命这个啬夫去代替那个上林尉，提拔这个啬夫，去当上林令，让他参与管理上林苑的事情。
 
张释之就对文帝说道：“周勃、张相如，都是德高望重的长者，在朝廷里担当重任。可是，这两个人都不是能言善辩的。如果皇上因为这个啬夫的伶牙俐齿、善于言说而取悦于人，就把他破格加以提拔的话，那么恐怕天下人知道以后，就会纷纷效仿，都去夸夸其谈而不务实事，世风就会变坏。请陛下仔细考虑才是。”文帝听了张释之的这些话，认为很有道理，于是就决定收回成命。
 
古往今来很多人在用人这件事情上，始终存在一个问题，那就是：往往过于通过一个人的言谈，来判断这个人能否胜任某个职位，事实上这是一个很大的误区。某些人就是抓住了上级官员的这个漏洞，凭著自己的能言善辩、花言巧语，而伺机逢迎、钻空子，对上官的好恶进行揣摩，以自己的伶牙俐齿，最终满足了自己的私利私心。
 
故事当中的那个虎圈啬夫，就是一个这样的人。这个人越过他的上司在皇帝面前代答，显示自我，而不是低调的、厚道的提醒和帮助在上司位置上的他人，并差点取而代之，其实不是厚道的做法，至少是不知进退。此事正是因为有张释之这样一个不用私心、不受个人情感好恶影响、明察秋毫、公正严明的人，在皇帝身边及时提醒，才使得皇上没有被这个卖弄口舌的小吏所蒙蔽。