《明史·列传·卷一百九十六》
开国期虽然设有这一官衔，左相国徐达，是头号功臣，也只封为左柱国，请求陛下免除臣的这个官衔，并且立为法令，以昭示做臣属应具备的节操。 
国初虽设此官，左相国达，功臣第一，亦止为左柱国。乞陛下免臣此官，著为令典，以昭臣节。 
Although this official title was established during the founding period of the dynasty, Xu Da, the left prime minister and the greatest hero, was only named the left pillar state. I beg Your Majesty to exempt the minister from this title and establish it as a law to show the integrity that a minister should have.