Stories and legends about Wei Zhi

Wei Zhi (580-643) was named Xuancheng. Han nationality, Tang Julu (now Julu County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, also known as Jinzhou City or Guantao City, Hebei Province) was a politician in the Tang Dynasty. He used to be Dr. Jian, Dr. Zuo Guanglu and Zheng Gong. He is famous for his outspoken remonstrance, and he is the most famous remonstrator in the history of China.

Wei Zhi prepared the funeral. His career was bumpy and his experience was rich, which also made him a talented person to manage the country and the world.

Extreme words and direct suggestions

He has a keen insight into social problems and is an honest and frank person. He was highly valued by Emperor Taizong, who was diligent and loved the people. Emperor Taizong led Wei Zheng into the bedroom for many times, "visiting with gains and losses", and Wei Zhi also "liked the master of every confidant and tried his best to know everything", and frequently remonstrated on the gains and losses of state affairs. Emperor Taizong once praised him and said, "What did you say about more than 200 things before and after? If you don't really serve the country, how is it possible? " Soon, he was transferred to Zuo Cheng as a senior minister. In the third year of Zhenguan (629), the secretary appointed Zheng Guogong as the supervisor of state affairs. Wei Zhi's outspoken protest is famous. At that time, Wang Jue, the prime minister who was famous for his "general knowledge", spoke highly of him: "All admonitions are not as good as Yao and Shun, and ministers are not as good as them." According to the statistics of Zhenguan dignitaries, Wei Zhi remonstrated with Emperor Taizong 50 times, and remonstrated with him 1 1. His life's advice amounted to hundreds of thousands of words. The number of times, the urgency of words and the firmness of attitude are unmatched by other ministers.

Wei Zhi's remonstrance covers a wide range, and the military mistakes of the imperial court are naturally the main contents of his remonstrance. In order to heal the wounds of the war at the end of Sui Dynasty, he suggested that Emperor Taizong and the people recuperate, change the extravagant style of Emperor Yang Di, and oppose the creation of palaces and foreign belligerence; For the sake of social stability, he suggested that Emperor Taizong abolish the harsh laws of the Sui Dynasty and replace them with lenient criminal laws. For the sake of political clarity, he advised Emperor Taizong to be "competent and versatile" in employing people and asked Hell to pay for being a corrupt official. On the issue of reward and punishment, he believes that the essence of reward and punishment lies in persuading good and punishing evil. Before the king's law, "noble relatives and friends" are treated equally; In the monarch's ideological style, he advised Taizong to listen to all kinds of people, thinking that "listening to all kinds of people is clear, favoritism is dark" to prevent your ministers from being sheltered and your feelings from being touched. He advised Emperor Taizong to "take the death of the Sui Dynasty as a warning", accept historical lessons, be prepared for danger in times of peace, and guard against arrogance and extravagance. Wei Zhi always adhered to the principle and argued for these important issues concerning national governance and social survival. His criticism of Emperor Taizong's mistakes was also sharp.

He argued that the words in the book were radical and reckless. In the eighth year of Zhenguan (634), Cheng Huangfude of Shaanxi wrote: "Build Luoyang Palace to help people; Collect the land rent and collect it. " Emperor Taizong was furious after reading it and wanted to convict him of libel. Wei Zhi immediately remonstrated, saying that Jia Yi had said to Emperor Wendi in the past: "Those who cry badly can be three, and those who breathe heavily can be five." Since ancient times, letters have been written with eager words. Otherwise, it can't arouse the emperor's vigilance, and rushing for success is not slander. After Taizong heard this, he regretted saying, "This is the man I blamed at the beginning. If I blame him, who dares to speak? " Wei Zhi was often embarrassed by Emperor Taizong, and sometimes he blushed or even embarrassed. After a blow to the DPRK, Emperor Taizong once said to Yunu, "You are going to kill this Tian She Weng." He also said that Wei Zhi "humiliated me in every court". It is not difficult to see that Wei Zhi's outspoken criticism often hit the nail on the head, even to the point where Emperor Taizong could not bear it.

In addition to military affairs, Wei Zhi also kindly criticized other unreasonable practices of Emperor Taizong. In August of the sixth year of Zhenguan (632), Princess Changle got married. Emperor Taizong believed that the princess was born to the eldest grandson of the queen, and ordered that her makeup should be twice that of Yongjia princess royal. Wei Zhi protested that princess royal is higher than the princess, and the princess's gift should not exceed princess royal's. After hearing this, the eldest grandson admired Wei Zhi's frankness and courage to remonstrate, and said to Emperor Taizong with deep feelings, "I never knew why you attached importance to Wei Zhi. Hearing his exhortation today, we can really control the feelings of the Lord with righteousness, which can be described as a minister of the righteous society. My concubine and your majesty are married, with courtesy and deep feelings. Every word should be treated with color, not with dignity. The situation is in a courtier, and their feelings are separated. Therefore, Han Fei called it "difficult" and the East called it not easy but good. " After that, he personally went to Zheng Wei's house and gave 500 silks. Wei Zhi was outspoken and very protesting, and even said something that even the eldest grandson of the Queen dared not say easily.

Although Tang Taizong's sharp criticism of Wei Zhi was hard to accept for a while, he realized that Wei Zhi's loyalty to the country was conducive to the country's long-term stability. He once lamented that "others say that Wei Zhi is slow, but I find it attractive, which is just right for this ear." Of course, the enlightened politics of Emperor Taizong was an important reason why Wei Zhi was outspoken for many times, so he replied, "Your Majesty instructed me to speak, so I dare to speak. How dare your Majesty commit several crimes against Long Lin if he doesn't listen to me? " These words are not just modest words.

Wei Zhi's criticism of the mistakes in governing the country is conducive to correcting the mistakes in Zhenguan politics. Emperor Taizong felt that he could not live without him for a day. Emperor Taizong once compared Wei Zhi to a good craftsman and himself to gold, which was already in the ore. The reason why it is called expensive is because it is "easy to smelt and forge, and it is treasured by people". Historians spoke highly of it and said, "I read the story of Wei Gong, discussed politics and art with Wendi, and responded back and forth with hundreds of thousands of words. He has broken the law, so he can make a close analogy. He is a similar person, he is a person who has not reached the previous generation. "