Wei Zheng
He boldly remonstrated on more than 200 matters; Emperor Taizong of Tang called him his "mirror."
Life
Serving Several Masters
Born into poverty, Wei Zheng became a Taoist priest in his youth. In the late Sui he served Li Mi and then Dou Jiande before joining the Tang, where he served in the household of Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and urged Jiancheng to get rid of Li Shimin, Prince of Qin, early.
Outspoken remonstrator
After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin demanded to know why he had sown discord between the brothers. He replied: "Had the crown prince followed my advice, he would not have met today's disaster." Li Shimin admired his frankness and made him Remonstrance Counselor; he later rose to be Palace Attendant. He submitted more than 200 remonstrances, the most famous being the Memorial on Ten Thoughts to Taizong.
Using People as a Mirror
When Wei Zheng died in 643, Emperor Taizong of Tang said: "With bronze as a mirror, one can straighten one's clothes and cap; with the past as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of states; with people as a mirror, one can see one's own gains and failings. Now that Wei Zheng is gone, I have lost a mirror." Soon after, however, Taizong learned that Wei Zheng had shown his remonstrances to the court historians, and in a rage had his tombstone toppled for a time.
Legacy
Wei Zheng is regarded as the model of the remonstrating minister in imperial China, and his relationship with Emperor Taizong of Tang is often taken as a symbol of the political climate of the Reign of Zhenguan.
Major works & achievements
- Memorial on Ten Thoughts to Taizong
- Chief editor of the Book of Sui and other histories
Did you know? He oversaw the writing of the prefaces and commentaries of the Book of Sui, as well as the Essentials of Government from the Classics (Qunshu Zhiyao).
Key dates
- 618Surrendered to Tang with Li Mi
- 626Employed by Taizong after the Xuanwu Gate Incident
- 637Submitted the Ten Reflections memorial to Taizong
- 643Died; Lingyan Pavilion meritorious official