貞観政要 河東 丈二

中国史上、最も安定した治世の一つを築いたといわれる、高祖李淵の次男で、李淵と共に唐の創建者とされる。隋末の混乱期に李淵と共に太原で挙兵し、長安を都と定めて唐を建国した唐の第二代皇帝・李世民。太宗は主に軍を率いて各地を転戦して群雄を平定し、626年にクーデターの玄武門の変にて皇太子の李建成を打倒して皇帝に即位し、群雄勢力を平定して天下を統一した。彼は騎兵戦術を使った武力において卓越し、文治にも力を入れるなど文武の徳を備え、中国史上有数の名君の一人と称えられる。

「貞観の治」と呼ばれる善政をしいた李世民と彼を補佐した重臣たちとの間で交わされた問答をもとに編纂されたのが「貞観政要」です。明治天皇や徳川家康が、ここから帝王学を学んだともいわれる名著です。「貞観政要」を現代の視点から読み解くことで、理想のリーダーや組織のあり方、困難な人生を生き抜く方法などを学んでいきます。

「貞観政要」が卓越したリーダー論、組織論といわれるのはなぜか？　その秘密は、李世民の政治に対する真摯な姿勢にあります。彼は、自分の殺害を計画した人物さえ、その能力を認めて側近に取り立てました。また、臣下たちの忌憚のない厳しい諫言にもよく耳を傾け、自らの政治方針を常にチェックし、改善を続けていきました。全十巻四十篇からなる李世民の言行録ともいえる「貞観政要」には、こうした彼の姿勢や日々の苦闘によって培われた、生きた知恵が豊富に盛り込まれているのです。

「世界最高のリーダー論」の一つともいわれる「貞観政要」。この著作では、リーダーの器はどう論じられているのか？　意外にも「何もしないのが理想のリーダーだ」と記されている。真のリーダーは、プライドや見栄などで自らの器をいっぱいにするのではなく、むしろそれらを上手に捨て器を空にすることで、部下の諫言に耳を傾け、新しい価値観を吸収し、自らを律することができるのだという。その上で、適材適所さえ心がけていきさえすれば、人も世も自然にそのリーダーに従うようになるという。

「貞観政要」の執筆背景や皇帝・李世民の人となりもつまびらかにしつつ、理想のリーダーのあり方を考えさせられる。

「判断をする上でいかにきちんとした基準をもてるか？」　これはリーダーの最も大切な条件の一つである。李世民は、「三つの鏡」のたとえを使って巧みにその判断基準を説いていく。「銅の鏡」は、部下が自然についてくる「いい表情」をしているか？　「歴史の鏡」は、過去の経験に照らして将来への備えができているか？　「人の鏡」は、部下たちの直言にきちんと耳を傾けているか？　この三つが常に大切な座標軸になるという。さらに、短期的な利害ではなく、長期的に俯瞰してみる「時間軸」思考も大切だと説く。第二回は、人が生きていく上で、また組織運営の中で、どのような座標軸をもつことが大切かを考えさせられる。

「チーム力をいかに鍛えるか？」　組織を軌道にのせ発展させていくための最も大事なポイントの一つである。チームの力を最大限に引き出すために何よりも大切なのは、「部下にまかせて待つこと」、そして「信用すること」。全てを自分でかかえこまず、部下を信用してまかせること。また、まかせた以上は途中で口を挟まず見守ること。そのときはじめて、部下やチームは最大限の力を発揮するという。またチームの各人が成長していくためには「適度な負荷」が必要だとも説かれる。家族、会社、団体等々のチーム力を鍛えていくために必要な人材育成術について考えさせられる。

「創業」と「守成」ではどちらが大切かという李世民の問いに、重臣たちの意見が真っ二つに分かれる。「敵を打ち破る命がけの困難があるゆえに創業だ」という意見と「安定が油断を生み国を亡ぼすゆえに守成だ」という意見だ。双方の意見を評価しながらも、李世民は「今まさに安定期であるがゆえに守成こそおろそかにしないようにしよう」と呼びかける。難易度は同じだが人が陥りがちなのは「守成」の問題。そこで李世民やその重臣たちは「後継者選びの大切さ」「敵対勢力への寛容」など、組織が長期に持続するための要諦を具体的に説いていく。その上で人生の総仕上げを飾る「有終の美」の大切さも説かれる。マネジメントの中でも最も難しいとされる、組織が長期的に持続・発展していくための条件や、人生の最終段階で有終の美を飾るにはどうすればよいかを考えさせられる。

何といっても、太宗・李世民の言行録の中で印象的だったのは、自分の殺害を計画した人物さえ、その能力を認めて側近に取り立てたことでした。また、臣下たちの忌憚のない厳しい諫言にもよく耳を傾け、自らの政治方針を常にチェックし、改善を続けていくという李世民の真摯な姿勢も。更に、「真に偉大なリーダーは決して嘘をつかない。だから民衆に深い信頼を得ることができる」といったエピソードも出てきます。

組織をよくしようとあえて苦言をしてくれる部下を、敵対勢力とレッテル貼りして、仕事を奪って干してしまうリーダー、嘘の上に嘘を塗り重ねて消費者の信頼をいっぺんに失ってしまう企業の不祥事などなど、今の世の中には、「貞観政要」に描かれた李世民とは正反対の事例に数多く出くわします。その意味で、「貞観政要」に現代人が学ぶべきところは、本当にたくさんあるのではないでしょうか？

The Political Program in Zhenguan Times　　　　Joji Kawahigashi

＊Important point＊

①Jogan（貞観）（in Chinese Zhenguan） is the era name used during the reign of Taizong in the Tang dynasty of China. 627-649.

②seiyo（政要） means the key to politics(The Political Program)

③李世民(in Chinese Li Shimin)

He was the second son of Gaozu Li Yuan(高祖李淵), who is said to have built one of the most stable reigns in Chinese history and is considered to be the founder of the Tang(唐) Dynasty Li Yuan. During the turmoil at the end of the Sui(隋) dynasty, Li Shimin, the second emperor of Tang, raised an army in Taiyuan with Li Yuan and established the Tang dynasty with Chang'an as its capital. In 626, Taizong overthrew Crown Prince Li Jiancheng（李建成）in the coup d'état Genwumon Incident and ascended to the throne, subjugating the forces of the army and conquering the world and unified. He excelled in military power using cavalry tactics and possessed literary and military virtues, such as putting effort into civil administration, and is praised as one of the most eminent rulers in Chinese history.

The ``Zhenguan political program'' was compiled based on the questions and answers exchanged between Lee Shimin, who exercised a good government called ``Zhenguan Rule,'' and senior vassals who assisted him. It is said that the Meiji Emperor and Tokugawa Ieyasu learned imperial studies from here. By deciphering "Jogan seiyo(Zhenguan political program )" from a modern perspective, students will learn about ideal leaders, how organizations should be, and how to survive a difficult life.

Why is "Jogan seiyo" said to be an outstanding leader theory and organization theory? The secret lies in Lee Shimin's sincere attitude toward politics. He even took the person who planned his murder to his aides in recognition of his ability. He also listened to the frank and stern remonstrations of his subjects, and constantly checked and improved his own political policies. Consisting of 40 chapters in 10 volumes, Jogan Seiyo can be described as a record of Lee Shimin's words and deeds.

Joganseiyo is said to be one of the world's best leadership theories. How is the vessel of the leader discussed in this book? Surprisingly, it says, "The ideal leader is to do nothing." A true leader does not fill his vessel with pride and vanity, but rather by skillfully throwing them away and emptying his vessel, heeds the advice of his subordinates and absorbs new values. It is said that they can control themselves. On top of that, if you remember that the right person is in the right place, people and the world will naturally follow the leader.

While clarifying the background of writing "Jogan seiyo" and the personality of Emperor Lee Shimin, it makes you think about the ideal leader.

"How can we have proper standards for making judgments?" This is one of the most important conditions for a leader. Lee Shimin skillfully explains the judgment criteria using the parable of ``three mirrors''. Does "Copper Mirror" have a "good look" that his subordinates naturally follow? Is the "mirror of history" ready for the future in light of past experience? Does the "human mirror" listen to what his subordinates have to say? It is said that these three will always be important coordinate axes. Furthermore, he argues that it is important to think about the “time axis” that takes a long-term view, rather than focusing on short-term interests. The second session made me think about what kind of coordinate axes is important for people to live and in organizational management.

"How do we train our team strength?"　This is one of the most important points to put the organization on track and develop it. In order to maximize the power of the team, the most important thing is to "leave it to your subordinates and wait" and "trust". Trust your subordinates and leave everything to them. Also, if you leave it to me, watch over it without interfering. Only then can subordinates and teams demonstrate their full potential. It is also preached that a "moderate load" is necessary for each member of the team to grow. It makes you think about the human resource development techniques necessary to strengthen the team power of families, companies, organizations, etc.

Lee Semin's question about which is more important, ``founding'' or ``preserving,'' divides the opinions of senior vassals into two. There is an opinion that ``it is founded because there is a life-threatening difficulty to defeat the enemy,'' and an opinion that ``it is established because stability creates carelessness and destroys the country.'' While appreciating the opinions of both sides, Lee calls out, ``We are in a period of stability, so let's not neglect Morseung.'' The difficulty level is the same, but people tend to fall into the problem of "maintenance". Lee Shimin and his senior vassals then concretely preached key points for the long-term sustainability of the organization, such as ``the importance of choosing a successor'' and ``tolerance to hostile forces''. On top of that, he also preaches the importance of the "final beauty" that decorates the overall finish of life. It makes me think about the conditions for the long-term sustainability and development of an organization, which is said to be the most difficult part of management, and how to decorate the final stage of life.

What was most impressive in Taizong(太宗) Lee Shimin's words and deeds was that even the person who planned to kill him recognized his ability and became his close aide. Also, Lee Se-min's sincere attitude of listening carefully to the frank and harsh admonitions of his subordinates, constantly checking his own political policy and continuing to improve. Furthermore, there are episodes such as ``A truly great leader never lies.

Leaders who label their subordinates who dare to complain about improving the organization as hostile forces and take away their jobs, and companies that lose consumer trust by lying on top of lies. In today's world, we encounter many cases that are opposite to the Lee Shimin depicted in Joganseiyo. In that sense, isn't there really a lot that modern people can learn from Joganseiyo?