Using people as a mirror can reveal gains and losses. This sentence by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty is also the highest evaluation of Wei Zheng’s life value.

Original text: hōng (hōng), with self-made inscriptions and calligraphy stones. He said to the courtiers: People use copper as a guide to correct their clothes; use the past as a guide to know the rise and fall; use people as a guide to know gains and losses.

Vernacular translation: After Wei Zheng's death, the emperor personally wrote the inscription and engraved it on the stone tablet. The emperor said to his courtiers: "Using bronze mirrors as a comparison, people can wear their clothes and hats neatly; using history as a comparison, they can know the rise and fall of a country; using others as a comparison, they can know their own success or failure.

Anecdotes and allusions about Wei Zheng

There is a text about Wei Zheng and Juqin in the Tang Dynasty Notes "Dragon City Records". Wei Zheng liked to give opinions in the court, and often made it difficult for the emperor to step down. . One day, Li Shimin smiled and said to the ministers: "That goat-nosed person has a straight face all day long. I wonder if there is anything that can tempt him?" "

The courtiers around Li Shimin replied, "Wei Zheng likes to eat vinegar and celery." The next day, Li Shimin gave a banquet, and the food reward included three cups of vinegar and celery. When Wei Zheng saw it, his index finger moved, and the rice was not yet eaten. After eating, the tableware used to hold the food was all gone.

Li Shimin said, "Look, you said you don't have any hobbies. Now I finally see it." Wei Zheng, who was exposed, replied to Li Shimin: "The emperor likes inaction (rather than extravagance), so naturally his ministers dare not have any preferences." I just like this one (vinegar and parsley). "Li Shimin sighed for a long time.