设置副手还是分权制衡?——也谈刘备托孤于李严的主要用意

Setting up Deputy or Checking and Balancing?——On the Main Intention of Liu Bei's Entrusting an Orphan to Li Yan

为确保刘禅帝位和蜀汉基业的稳固,刘备在弥留之际不得不预先对权力进行重新分割,其深知后主孱弱,难当大任,故先托孤于丞相诸葛亮,令他辅助刘禅处理政务。而后担心诸葛亮专权,又以尚书令李严任中都护,统内外军事。刘备托孤以李严为副具有多重涵义,诸葛亮安心辅政时,李严可利用自己的军事才干帮助不善掌兵的诸葛亮对内平叛、对外征战。而若诸葛亮超越自己的权力范围,意图染指军权或君权时,李严又可以先主遗命和所掌军队对其形成制约,这当是刘备托孤于李严的主要用意。

In order to ensure the stability of Liu Chan's throne and the foundation of the Shuhan dynasty,Liu Bei had to make new division of his power in advance when he was dying,for he knew that the later leader was weak and difficult to take on heavy responsibilities.So he entrusted Zhu Geliang,the prime minister,to help Liu Chan deal with government affairs.Then,worrying about Zhuge Liang's dictatorship,he ordered Li Yan to serve as the central protector and command the internal and external military forces.It has multiple meanings for Liu Bei to entrust his son to Zhuge Liang and appoint Li Yan as their deputy.When Zhuge Liang was at ease to assist in politics,Li Yan could use his military ability to help Zhuge Liang,who was not good at leading the army,to fight against internal rebellion and foreign wars.If Zhuge Liang was beyond his power and intended to have a hand in the military power or monarchical power,Li Yan could restrain Zhuge Liang by the orders of his late emperor and the troops he commanded,which was Liu Bei's main intention of entrusting his son to Li Yan.