Chapter 54 145 Wei Zheng speaks out and dares to advise

After the Xuanwumen Incident, someone reported to Qin Wang Li Shimin that there was an official in the East Palace named Wei Zheng who had participated in the uprising army of Li Mi and Dou Jiande. He once persuaded Jiancheng to kill King Qin. After hearing this, King Qin immediately sent someone to find Wei Zheng. When Wei Zheng met King Qin, King Qin asked him with a straight face, "Why are you sowing discord among our brothers?" When the ministers on the left and right heard King Qin's question, they thought it was Wei Zheng's old account, and they all sweated for Wei Zheng.But Wei Zheng remained calm and replied calmly, "It's a pity that the crown prince didn't listen to me at that time. Otherwise, such a thing would not have happened."

After hearing this, the King of Qin felt that Wei Zheng's words were straightforward and courageous. Instead of blaming Wei Zheng, he said kindly, "This is already a thing of the past, so there is no need to mention it again." After Tang Taizong came to the throne, he promoted Wei Zheng to be an admonishing doctor (official name), and also selected a group of Jiancheng and Yuanji's subordinates as officials.It turned out that the officials of Prince Qin's Mansion were not convinced, and murmured behind their backs: "How many years have we been with the Emperor. Now that the Emperor confers officials and worships nobles, instead the people from the East Palace and Prince Qi's Mansion are the ones who get the honor first. What kind of rule is this?"

Prime Minister Fang Xuanling told Tang Taizong these words.Tang Taizong said with a smile: "The purpose of setting up officials in the imperial court is to govern the country. Talents should be selected. How can relationships be used as the criterion for selecting candidates? If the newcomers have talents and the old ones have no talents, they cannot be excluded. New ones, use old ones!" After everyone listened, there was nothing to say. Emperor Taizong of Tang did not forget old grudges, selected talents, and encouraged ministers to express their opinions face to face.With his encouragement, the ministers also dared to speak.Wei Zheng, in particular, was very thoughtful about the major affairs of the court, and he would speak up in front of Tang Taizong if he had any opinions.Tang Taizong also trusted him very much, and often called him into the inner palace to listen to his opinions.

Once, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty asked Wei Zheng: "In the history of the emperors, why are some wise and some stupid?" Wei Zheng said: "If you listen to opinions from all sides, you will be wise; if you only listen to one side, you will be stupid (the classical Chinese is "listening to both sides will make you bright, and listening to one side will make you dark")." He also cited the history of Yao, Shun and Qin II. , Liang Wudi, Sui Yangdi and other examples, said: "If the ruler who governs the world can adopt the opinions of the lower levels, then the lower feelings will be able to reach the higher level, and his cronies will not be deceived even if they want to be deceived."

Tang Taizong nodded repeatedly and said, "How well you speak!" Another day, Tang Taizong finished reading the anthology of Emperor Sui Yang, and said to the left and right ministers: "I think that Emperor Sui Yang is a man of profound knowledge, and he also understands that Yao and Shun are good, Jie and Zhou are not good. Why did things happen so ridiculously?" ?” Wei Zheng interjected: "It is not enough for an emperor to be smart and profound. He should also listen to the opinions of his courtiers with an open mind. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty thought he was talented, proud and confident. Hearing this, Tang Taizong was deeply touched and said with a sigh: "Oh, the lessons of the past are our teachers!"

Tang Taizong was very happy to see his rule consolidated.He felt that the ministers' advice to him was very helpful, so he said to them: "Governing the country is like curing a disease. Although the disease is cured, you have to rest well and not relax. Now that the Central Plains is stable and the Quartet is under submission. But I have to be very cautious, I'm afraid it won't last long. So I need to listen to your advice more." Wei Zheng said: "Your Majesty is so happy to be able to think of critical days in a stable environment (the classical Chinese is 'be prepared for danger in times of peace')."

Later, Wei Zheng put forward more and more opinions.When he saw something wrong with Taizong, he fought it face to face.Sometimes, Tang Taizong didn't like it, and his face darkened, but Wei Zheng continued to talk, making Tang Taizong unable to go down the steps. Once, when Wei Zheng was in court, he had a heated argument with Tang Taizong.Tang Taizong couldn't stand it anymore, wanted to get angry, but was afraid that he would lose his good reputation for accepting opinions in front of the ministers, so he reluctantly held back.After retiring from the court, he returned to the inner palace full of anger, met his wife, Empress Changsun, and said angrily: "One day, I will kill this country bumpkin!"

Empress Changsun rarely saw Taizong get so angry, so she asked him, "Which one does Your Majesty want to kill?" Tang Taizong said: "It's not that Wei Zheng! He always insults me in front of everyone, and I can't stand it!" After hearing this, Empress Changsun went back to her inner room without saying a word, changed into a court dress, and bowed down to Taizong. Tang Taizong asked in surprise: "What are you doing?" Empress Changsun said: "I heard that only wise emperors have upright ministers. Now that Wei Zheng is so upright, it shows His Majesty's wisdom. How can I not congratulate Your Majesty!"

These words were like a basin of cool water, extinguishing Taizong's anger. Later, instead of remembering Wei Zheng's hatred, he praised Wei Zheng and said: "People say that Wei Zheng behaves rudely, but I think this is where he is charming and cute!" In 643 AD, Wei Zheng, who was outspoken and dared to advise, died of illness.Tang Taizong was very sad. He said with tears: "Using copper as a mirror, you can see whether your clothes and hats are properly dressed; using history as a mirror, you can see the reasons for the rise and fall of a country; using people as a mirror, you can find yourself. Is it right? Once Wei Zheng dies, I will lose a good mirror."

Because Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty paid more attention to talents, he was able to adopt the direct advice of the ministers, his politics was relatively enlightened, and he paid attention to reducing the labor of the common people, and took some measures to develop production. In the early Tang Dynasty, the economy appeared prosperous and the social order was relatively stable. This period is called "The Reign of Zhenguan" (Zhenguan is the reign title of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty).