1. When Wei Zheng gives advice, any opinion he thinks is correct will be given directly to his face, he will stick to it, and he will never discuss it behind his back.

On one occasion, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty said to Changsun Wuji: "Every time Wei Zheng comes to me for advice, as long as I don't accept his opinion, he always refuses to agree. I don't know why?" Changsun Wuji answered, and Wei Zheng took over and said: "Your Majesty did something wrong, so I remonstrated. If your Majesty does not listen to my advice, and I immediately obey your Majesty's opinion, then I can only act in accordance with your Majesty's will. Wouldn't I be violating it?" Did I have the original intention of admonishing you?"

Taizong said, "Can't you promise to take care of my dignity and then remonstrate with me alone after you retire?" Wei Zheng explained: "In the past, Shun warned his ministers not to obey me in person, but to say another thing behind my back. This is not a sign of loyalty to the emperor, but an act of treachery and sycophancy. As for your views, I cannot agree with you." Taizong admired Wei Zheng very much. opinions.

2. In terms of national policies, especially in order to bring things right after a great chaos, Wei Zheng advocated that it should be done quickly rather than slowly, and urgently rather than slowly. When Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty came to the throne, everything was in ruins.

One day, he asked Wei Zheng: "Does it take a hundred years for a wise monarch to govern the country well?" Wei Zheng did not agree with Taizong's idea. The response is the same, the effect can be seen within one year, and it is too late to see the effect in two years. Why do we have to wait a hundred years to manage it well?"

Shang Shufeng Deyi laughed at Wei Zheng's view, and Wei Zheng said : "Governing a country after a great chaos is like a hungry man asking for food. It comes faster. If you follow the emperor's way, you will be an emperor, and if you follow the king's way, you will be a king. It depends on people, not whether the people can be enlightened." Taizong listened to Wei Zheng's opinion , and actively took effective measures. Only three or two years later, the Zhenguan rule appeared in the Tang Dynasty.

3. Wei Zheng also attached great importance to Tang Taizong's moral cultivation. He bluntly said to Taizong: "Those who are superior to others are upright and do not obey orders; those who are not upright will not obey orders." He also quoted Xunzi's words to warn Taizong: "The ruler is like a boat, and the people are like water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it."

This sentence shocked Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and he always kept it in mind. Once, Emperor Taizong asked Wei Zheng how to be a wise king instead of a dark king. Wei Zheng told the story of Yu Shiji of the Sui Dynasty. Yu Shiji devoted himself to the favor of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. He specialized in saying things that were pleasant to his ears and did not say anything that was offensive. From this, Wei Zheng came to a famous conclusion, that is, "listening to both sides will lead to enlightenment, and listening to one side will lead to darkness."

4. Wei Zheng advocated winning the trust of the people and not changing orders every day, leaving people confused. In the Tang Dynasty, only 18-year-old men could participate in military conscription. Once, in order to recruit more troops to consolidate the border, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty required all men over the age of 16 to apply, but Wei Zheng firmly disagreed. He said: "Draining the swamp for fishing and burning the forest for hunting are killing the chicken to lay eggs. The soldiers are not many but the best. Why bring in people who are not old enough to make up for the number? Moreover, this is also a breach of trust by the people."

Tang Taizong asked himself whether he had broken trust with the people. Wei Zheng cited three examples. Although Taizong felt that the words were harsh and unpleasant, he was still very happy in his heart. He believed that Wei Zheng was loyal to the court and assisted him in governing the country with integrity. Therefore, an order was issued to stop the recruitment of middle-aged men into the army. At the same time, Wei Zheng was rewarded with a golden urn as an encouragement.

5. In terms of personal enjoyment, Wei Zheng often went against Yan Zhijian. Once, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty went to Luoyang from Chang'an. He was very angry because the local supply was not good.

Wei Zheng said to Taizong: "Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty perished because of his unrestricted pursuit of pleasure. Now he loses his temper because of poor supply. In the future, he will definitely follow the example and follow the example. Every place will work hard to worship His Majesty in order to satisfy His Majesty. . The supply is limited, and people's desire for luxury is unlimited. If this continues, the tragedy of the Sui Dynasty will happen again." Taizong was shocked after hearing this, and he paid great attention to frugality in the future.

Baidu Encyclopedia--Wei Zheng