Emperor Taizong often called Wei to the palace and asked him for advice. Something's wrong with Li Shimin. Wei Zhi can criticize him face to face, and even make Emperor Taizong unbearable for a while.
On one occasion, on the advice of Feng Deyi, an official in charge of funeral rites, Emperor Taizong decided that all able-bodied men who had reached the age of 18 and had never served in the army should join the army. But Wei Zhi didn't agree. Because according to the regulations at that time, the imperial edict must be signed by the remonstrator before it can take effect.
Emperor Taizong asked him, "Why don't you agree with this?"
Wei Zhi replied: "As a consultant, I have an obligation to point out to your Majesty that this violates the policy of governing the country and protecting the people. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, I made a rule that' a man can be a soldier at the age of 20 and can be exempted from service at the age of 60'. How can you change it casually? "
Emperor Taizong was very angry and accused loudly: "You are too stubborn!"
Wei Zhi did not give in and said earnestly, "Your Majesty! Fishing in the river can really catch a lot of fish, but there will be no fish next year; Burning forest and hunting will really hit a lot of prey, but there will be no wild animals next year. If/kloc-all able-bodied men over the age of 0/8 are recruited as soldiers, who will the national tax corvee ask in the future? "
Emperor Taizong suddenly realized this and withdrew his order.
Sometimes, Li Shimin and Wei Zhi discuss some issues.
For example, Emperor Taizong once asked Wei Zhi: "There are so many emperors in history, why are some wise and some fatuous?"
Wei Zhi replied: "emperors who can listen to opinions from all sides are usually wise;" An emperor who goes his own way and listens to one-sided opinions is bound to be fatuous. That's how the idiom "It's bright to listen to others, but it's dark to listen to others" comes from.
Emperor Taizong said approvingly, "You speak very well!"