Wei Zheng (魏徵) | 24 Histories

Overview

Wei Zheng was a Tang Statesman and Chancellor.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Xuancheng	玄成	Xuancheng
Posthumous name	Wen Zhen	文貞	Wenzhen

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 636 貞觀十年正月壬子
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passages 11, 16
AD 629 貞觀三年
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 6
AD 633 貞觀七年
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 16
AD 626 to AD 649 初
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 20, passage 89
AD 627 初即位
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 56, passage 128
AD 636 史臣侍中、鄭國公魏徵曰
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 139

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AD 627 to AD 649 唐太宗之世
Directly stated · History of Song 256, passage 128
AD 627 to AD 643 唐太宗時
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 245, passage 56
AD 627 to AD 643 唐興…魏徵
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 140, passage 213
AD 627 to AD 649 唐貞觀（十思疏）
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 356, passage 306
AD 627 to AD 643 唐魏徵
Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 203, passage 266
AD 627 to AD 637 太宗
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 21, passages 56-57
AD 626 to AD 649 太宗
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 95, passage 55
AD 626 to AD 649 太宗時內宴
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 21, passages 279, 286
AD 627 昔唐太宗謂魏征
Directly stated · History of Song 359, passage 149
AD 626 to AD 649 更製七德舞歌辭
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
AD 626 to AD 649 至太宗時
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 11, passage 17
AD 634 貞观
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passages 57-58, 60
AD 627 to AD 643 貞觀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passages 175-176
AD 627 to AD 649 貞觀
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 2
AD 645 貞觀中
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 45, passages 112, 118
AD 627 to AD 649 貞觀修禮
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 127
AD 627 to AD 649 貞觀年間
Dated from the passage context · History of Yuan 179, passage 87
AD 627 to AD 643 魏徵事太宗十五年
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 181, passage 30
AD 636 魏徵考覽
Directly stated · Book of Chen 7, passage 147
AD 627 to AD 643 魏鄭公
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 142

Family

Ancestor of Shao (韶)
eighth-generation descendant 八代孫 · 8 generations · AD 931 長興二年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 42, passage 98

Key source chapters

Career and standing

historiographer 史臣
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 139
Palace Attendant 侍中
AD 633 貞觀七年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 16
Specially Advanced 特進
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passages 17-18
Right Vice Director 尚書右丞
AD 627 to AD 637 太宗 · Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 56
Director of the Imperial Library 秘書監
AD 629 貞觀三年 · Held
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 6
Attendant-in-Ordinary 侍中
Held
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 139

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chancellor 相臣
Held
Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 203, passage 266
Palace Attendant 侍中
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 2; New Book of Tang 20, passage 89
Secretariat Director 祕書監
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 11, passage 17
Grand Master of Splendid Happiness 光祿大夫
AD 636 貞觀十年 · Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 16
Duke of Zheng 鄭國公
AD 636 貞觀十年 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 16
Duke of Zheng 鄭國公
AD 636 貞觀十年 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 16
Duke of Zheng 鄭國公
Held
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 139
Requested
Resignation requested
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 17

Places and affiliations

Tang 唐
Relation Served
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 45, passage 118
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 2; Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passage 175; Draft History of Qing 245, passage 56; History of Song 256, passage 128; New Book of Tang 11, passage 17; New Book of Tang 20, passage 89; New Book of Tang 21, passages 56, 286; New Book of Tang 56, passage 128; New Book of Tang 95, passage 55; New Book of Tang 140, passage 213; New Book of Tang 181, passage 30; History of Yuan 203, passage 266
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passages 57-58; Book of Liang 6, passage 139; Book of Sui 86, passage 6; New Book of Tang 21, passage 206

Works and attributed material

prefaces and evaluative essays of the Sui history 序、論
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 9
Changes (Yijing) 易
Relation Quoted · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 157
Bibliographic Treatise 經籍志
Relation Attributed author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 19
Book of Sui annals and biographies 隋書紀傳
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passages 10, 21
Seven Virtues dance lyrics 七德舞歌辭
Relation Author
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
Ten Reflections memorial 十思疏
Relation Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 356, passage 306

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Zhenguan Ritual 貞觀禮
Relation Compiler
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 11, passage 17
Music Society piece 樂社樂曲
Relation Composer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 286
AD 634 貞观
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Taizong (太宗) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 58
Historian's commentary · Commentator · Direct quotation · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passages 139-177
Memorial · Author · With Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 2
Memorial · Author · With Taizong (太宗) · Paraphrased
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 56, passage 128
Memorial · Author · Mode quotation Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 20, passages 89-95
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 7
Note · Author · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 7, passage 147
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗)
Directly stated · History of Song 359, passage 149
Speech · Speaker · With Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passages 56-57

Events and relationships

Asked to reward Huangfu Decan
AD 634 貞观 · Political · Counselor · With Huangfu Decan (皇甫德參)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 68
Composed by edict
AD 626 to AD 649 太宗時內宴 · Scholarly · Composer
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 21, passages 279, 286
Debated mourning dress reform
Scholarly · Discussant · With Linghu Defen (令狐德棻)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 20, passages 89-95
compilation of Zhenguan Ritual 撰定貞觀禮
Ritual compilation · Compiler · Expanded Sui ritual
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 11, passage 17
Interceded for Huangfu Decan
AD 634 貞观 · Political · Intercessor · With Huangfu Decan (皇甫德參)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passages 57, 60
Married into old eastern clans
AD 626 to AD 649 太宗 · Personal · Marrier
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 55

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Opposed harsh punishments advocated humane government
AD 627 初即位 · Political · Adviser · With Taizong (太宗)
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 56, passage 128
Opposed self recommendation
Political · Advisor
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 118
Presented
AD 636 十年正月壬子 · Scholarly · Presenter · Object Five Dynasties / Sui history 五代史
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 11
remade lyrics as Seven Virtues 更製歌辭，名曰七德舞
Cultural · Lyricist · Rewrote
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
Supervised compilation
AD 629 貞觀三年 · Scholarly · Director · Object Sui history 隋史
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passages 6, 8
Urged kingly way
Counsel · Advisor · With Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗文皇帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passages 175, 179
Relation Cited · Person Confucius (孔子)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 56
Relation Collaborator of · Person Yu Shinan (虞世南)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
Relation Advisor of · Person Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗)
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 45, passage 118
Relation Minister of · Person Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗)
Directly stated · History of Song 359, passage 149
Relation Supervised by · Person Fang Qiao (房喬)
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 6
Relation Colleague of · Person Linghu Defen (令狐德棻)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 20, passage 89
Relation Ordered by · Person Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
Relation Minister of · Person Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 56
Relation Minister of · Person Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗)
Directly stated · History of Song 256, passage 128
Relation Adviser of · Person Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 56, passage 128
Relation Surrendered to · Person Tang Taizong (唐太宗) · Mode quotation Speaker Gong Dingzi (龔鼎孳)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 245, passage 56
Relation Collaborator of · Person Li Baiyao (李百藥)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206
Relation Advisor of · Person Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗文皇帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passages 175, 179
Relation Collaborator of · Person Chu Liang (褚亮)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passage 206

Assessments and attributes

Assessment exemplar of a true chancellor in portrait · Mode quotation Speaker Liu Yuan (劉元)
Directly stated · History of Yuan 203, passage 266
Assessment integrity made manifest · Mode quoted-document Speaker The Emperor (帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 60
Assessment kingly assistance near Wen; love of lord and forgetfulness of self near Zhen · Mode named-source-report Speaker Dugu Ji (獨孤及)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 140, passage 213
Assessment music-lies-in-human-harmony-not-in-notes · Mode speaker-judgment Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 21, passages 56-57
Assessment revised extensively while keeping the text concise and accurate · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Sui 86, passage 8
Assessment truly essential words on letting men speak · Mode quoted-document Speaker The Emperor (帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 59

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Assessment worthy ritual reformer · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Yang Zhongchang (楊仲昌)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 27, passage 129

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 20, passage 89; New Book of Tang 21, passage 56; New Book of Tang 45, passage 118; New Book of Tang 56, passage 128; New Book of Tang 95, passage 55; New Book of Tang 181, passage 30

References in the histories

Search passages

History

39 passages

Book of Chen, Chapter 7Volume 7: Empresses and Consorts · 2 passages

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魏徵補註 Wei Zheng's supplementary note

史臣侍中鄭國公魏徵考覽記書，參詳故老，云後主初即位，以始興王叔陵之亂，被傷臥于承香閣下，時諸姬嵭不得進，唯張貴妃侍焉。 The historiographer, palace attendant and Duke of Zheng, Wei Zheng, examined the records and consulted elders and wrote: When the Last Emperor first succeeded, he was wounded in the disorder of Prince of Shixing Shuling and lay ill below the Hall of Accepting Fragrance; none of the palace women could enter—only Noble Consort Zhang attended him.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 42Volume 42 Book of Later Tang 18: Mingzong Annals 8 · 1 passage

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甲戌，以魏征八代孫韶為安定縣主簿。 On jiaxu Shao, eighth-generation descendant of Wei Zheng, became Anning county chief clerk.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 47Volume 47 Book of Later Tang 23: Later Emperors Annals 2 · 5 passages

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而陝縣丞皇甫德參輒上封章，恣行訕謗，人臣無禮，罪不容誅，賴文貞之彌縫，恕德參之狂瞽。 Yet Huangfu Decan, assistant magistrate of Shan County, rashly submitted a sealed memorial full of slander; as a subject he was without propriety and deserved death—yet thanks to Wei Zheng's intercession, Decan's reckless offense was forgiven.

魏征奏太宗曰：「陛下思聞得失，隻可恣其所陳，若所言不中，亦何損於國家。」 Wei Zheng told Taizong, "Your Majesty wishes to hear of gains and losses; you should simply let men speak freely. If what they say misses the mark, what harm does it do the state."

遂得下情上達，德盛業隆，太宗之道彌光，文貞之節斯著。 Thus the feelings of the people reached the throne; virtue flourished and the enterprise prospered; Taizong's Way shone brighter, and Wei Zheng's integrity was made manifest.

因覽文貞之言，遂寬在德之罪，已令停寢，不遣宣行。 Reflecting on Wei Zheng's words, we therefore pardoned Zaide's offense; it has been ordered halted and will not be promulgated for implementation.

昔魏征則請賞德參，今濤等請黜在德，事同言異，何相遠哉！ Formerly Wei Zheng asked to reward Decan; now Tao and others ask to demote Zaide—the matter is the same but the words differ; how far apart they are!

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 58Volume 58 Book of Later Tang 34: Biographies 10: Zhao Guangfeng, Zheng Jue, Cui Xie, Li Qi, Xiao Qing · 2 passages

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我唐太宗文皇帝，以四夷初定，百姓未豐，延訪群臣，各陳所見，惟魏徵獨勸文皇力行王道，由是輕徭薄賦，不奪農時，進賢良，悅忠直，天下粟價，鬥直兩錢。 Our Tang Emperor Taizong, when the four quarters had just been pacified and the people were not yet prosperous, sought the views of his ministers. Wei Zheng alone urged him to practice the kingly way in earnest. Thereafter corvée was lightened and taxes reduced, farming seasons were not disturbed, worthy men were advanced, and loyal counsel was welcomed. Grain throughout the realm sold at two cash per dou.

臣之此言，是魏徵所以勸文皇也，伏惟深留宸鑒。 What your subject has said is what Wei Zheng used to counsel Emperor Taizong. I respectfully ask Your Majesty to weigh it deeply in your sage judgment.

Book of Liang, Chapter 6Volume 6: Emperor Jing · 1 passage

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史臣侍中、鄭國公魏徵曰：「高祖固天攸縱，聰明稽古，道亞生知，學爲博物，允文允武，多藝多才。 The historiographer, Attendant-in-Ordinary and Duke of Zheng Wei Zheng, said, "The High Ancestor was indeed one whom Heaven let range freely: intelligent and versed in antiquity, his Way nearly matched innate knowledge; his learning made him broadly informed, truly civil and martial, accomplished in many arts and talents.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 245Volume 245 Biographies 32: Gang Lin, Feng Quan, Chen Mingxia, Chen Zhilin, Liu Zhengzong · 1 passage

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鼎孳曰：「豈惟鼎孳，魏徵亦嘗降唐太宗。」 Dingzi said: "Not only I—Wei Zheng also once surrendered to Tang Taizong."

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 356Volume 356 Biographies 143: Hong Liangji, Guan Shiming, Gu Jiqi, Li Zhongzhao, Shi Chengzao · 1 passage

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遊光繹論大臣未盡和衷，武備未盡整飭，原效魏元成十思疏以裨治化。 You Guangyi argued that ministers still lacked harmony, military readiness was still incomplete, and offered to follow the model of Wei Zheng's Ten Reflections to aid governance.

History of Song, Chapter 256Volume 256 Biographies 15: Zhao Pudi and Younger Brother: Anyi · 1 passage

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「臣伏見唐太宗有魏玄成、房玄齡、杜如晦，明皇有姚崇、宋璟、魏知古，皆任以輔弼，委之心膂，財成帝道，康濟九區，宗祀延洪，史策昭煥，良由登用得其人也。 "I observe that Emperor Taizong of Tang had Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui; Emperor Xuanzong had Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Wei Zhigu. Each entrusted his ministers as true counselors, relying on them as his very heart and sinew. They perfected the imperial Way, brought peace to the realm, ensured enduring ancestral rites, and left histories that shine, all because the right men were appointed.

History of Song, Chapter 359Volume 359 Biographies 118: Li Gang 2 · 2 passages

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昔唐太宗謂魏征為敢言，征謝曰：「陛下導臣使言，不然，其敢批逆鱗哉。」 Once Emperor Taizong of Tang praised Wei Zheng for his bluntness. Wei Zheng replied: "Your Majesty encouraged me to speak — otherwise, how would I dare touch the dragon's scales?"

今臣無魏征之敢言，然展盡底蘊，亦思慮之極也。 Your servant lacks Wei Zheng's boldness, yet in laying everything bare I have given all the thought I can.

Book of Sui, Chapter 86Volume 86: the Second Year of the Tian Sheng Reign Publication Mark · 8 passages

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貞觀三年，續詔秘書監魏徵修隋史，左僕射房喬總監。 In the third year of Zhenguan, a new edict put Director of the Imperial Library Wei Zheng in charge of compiling the Sui history, with Left Vice Director Fang Qiao as overall supervisor.

徵又奏於中書省置秘書內省，令前中書侍郎顏師古、給事中孔穎達、著作郎許敬宗撰隋史。 Wei also proposed setting up an inner secretariat bureau within the Secretariat and assigning former Vice Director Yan Shigu, Supernumerary within the Gates Kong Yingda, and Academician Xu Jingzong to write the Sui history.

徵總知其務，多所損益，務存簡正。 Wei directed the work himself, revising extensively while keeping the text concise and accurate.

序、論皆徵所作。 All prefaces and evaluative essays were written by Wei.

十年正月壬子，徵等詣闕上之。 On the day renzi of the first month of the tenth year, Wei and his colleagues presented the work at court.

〈案魏徵本傳，貞觀七年為侍中，十年，五代史成，加光祿大夫，進封鄭國公。〈According to Wei Zheng's standard biography, in the seventh year of Zhenguan he became Palace Attendant; when the Five Dynasties history was finished in the tenth year, he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and enfeoffed as Duke of Zheng.

又經籍志四卷，獨云侍中、鄭國公魏徵撰。 The Bibliographic Treatise in four juan, by contrast, credits it solely to "Palace Attendant and Duke of Zheng Wei Zheng."

今紀傳題以徵，志以无忌，從眾本所載也。 The present edition titles the annals and biographies under Wei and the treatises under Wuji, following the various exemplars.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 11Volume 11 Treatises 1: Rites and Music 1 · 1 passage

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唐初，即用隋禮，至太宗時，中書令房玄齡、祕書監魏徵，與禮官、學士等因隋之禮，增以天子上陵、朝廟、養老、大射、講武、讀時令、納皇后、皇太子入學、太常行陵、合朔、陳兵太社等，為吉禮六十一篇，賓禮四篇，軍禮二十篇，嘉禮四十二篇，凶禮十一篇，是為貞觀禮。 Early Tang adopted Sui ritual outright. Under Taizong, Chief Minister Fang Xuanling and Secretariat Director Wei Zheng, with ritual officials and academicians, built on Sui ritual and added the Son of Heaven's tomb visits, temple audiences, nurturing the aged, great archery, military review, reading the seasons, receiving the empress, the crown prince entering school, the Director of Court Music visiting tombs, new moon, and displaying troops at the Grand Earth altar—sixty-one sections of auspicious ritual, four of guest ritual, twenty of military ritual, forty-two of felicitous ritual, and eleven of inauspicious ritual: the Zhenguan Ritual.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 20Volume 20 Treatises 10: Rites and Music 10 · 1 passage

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初，太宗嘗以同爨緦而嫂叔乃無服，舅與從母親等而異服，詔侍中魏徵、禮部侍郎令狐德棻等議：「舅為母族，姨乃外戚它姓，舅固為重，而服止一時，姨喪乃五月，古人未達者也。 Early on Taizong observed that kin eating from one pot wore finest hemp, yet elder brother's wife and husband's younger brother had no mourning; maternal uncle and aunt were equally close yet dressed differently. He ordered Wei Zheng, Linghu Defen, and others to debate: "The uncle is mother's clan; the aunt is outer kin of another surname—the uncle weighs heavier, yet mourning lasts one season while the aunt's is five months: the ancients missed this.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 21Volume 21 Treatises 11: Rites and Music 11 · 3 passages

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尚書右丞魏徵進曰：「孔子稱：『樂云樂云，鍾鼓云乎哉。』 Wei Zheng, Right Vice Director, said: "Confucius said: 'Music, music—is it only bells and drums?'

後令魏徵與員外散騎常侍褚亮、員外散騎常侍虞世南、太子右庶子李百藥更製歌辭，名曰七德舞。 Later Wei Zheng, Chu Liang, Yu Shinan, and Li Baiyao rewrote the lyrics as Seven Virtues.

其後因內宴，詔長孫无忌製傾盃曲，魏徵製樂社樂曲，虞世南製英雄樂曲。 Later at a palace feast an edict ordered Zhangsun Wuji to compose Tilting Cup, Wei Zheng to compose Music Society, and Yu Shinan to compose Hero.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 45Volume 45 Treatises 40: Selecting and Appointing Officials 2 · 1 passage

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而魏徵以為長澆競，又止。 Wei Zheng argued it would only encourage empty rivalry, and the idea was dropped again.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 56Volume 56 Treatises 52: Punishment and Law · 1 passage

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初即位，有勸以威刑肅天下者，魏徵以為不可，因為上言王政本於仁恩，所以愛民厚俗之意，太宗欣然納之，遂以寬仁治天下，而於刑法尤慎。 At the start of his reign some advisers urged him to terrify the realm with harsh punishments. Wei Zheng argued against it, telling the emperor that humane government rests on kindness and grace—the spirit of cherishing the people and strengthening custom. Taizong gladly accepted this counsel and governed with leniency and mercy, exercising particular caution in applying criminal law.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 95Volume 95 Biographies 20: Gao Jian and Fifth Generation Descendents: Gao Zhong, Dou Weizhi, Douzhi, Dou Gui, Dou Cong, Dou Kang, Dou Jing, Dou Dan, Dou Zhi, Dou Congsun: Dou Dexuan · 1 passage

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後房玄齡、魏徵、李勣復與昏，故望不減，然每姓第其房望，雖一姓中，高下縣隔。 When Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Li Ji married into those clans, their prestige revived. Yet within each surname branches were ranked, and even cousins could stand worlds apart in status.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 140Volume 140 Biographies 65: Cui Miao, Two Pei's, Lu · 1 passage

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唐興，參用漢制，魏徵以王道佐時近『文』，愛君忘身近『貞』，二者並優，廢一莫可，故曰文貞。 When Tang rose it adopted Han institutions; Wei Zheng's kingly assistance to the age approached "Wen," his love of the lord and forgetfulness of self approached "Zhen"—both excellences together, neither could be dropped—hence he was called Wenzhen.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 181Volume 181 Biographies 106: Chen, Three Li's, Cao, Liu · 1 passage

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嗣復曰：「夷行失言，太宗易暴亂為仁義，用房玄齡十有六年，任魏徵十有五年，未嘗失道。 Sifu said, "Yixing is wrong. Taizong turned chaos into humane rule; he kept Fang Xuanling for sixteen years and Wei Zheng for fifteen without ever losing his way.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 68Volume 68: Hereditary House of Min · 2 passages

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御史中丞劉贊坐不糾舉，將加笞，諫議大夫鄭元弼切諫，曦謂元弼曰：「卿何如魏鄭公，乃敢強諫！」 Censor-in-Chief Liu Zan was charged with failing to impeach the offenders and was about to be flogged. Remonstrance Counselor Zheng Yuanbi protested sharply. Xi told him, "What makes you think you are Duke Wei of Zheng that you dare remonstrate so boldly?"

元弼曰：「陛下似唐太宗，臣為魏鄭公可矣。」 Yuanbi replied, "If Your Majesty resembles Emperor Taizong of Tang, then I may well play the part of Duke Wei of Zheng."

History of Yuan, Chapter 179Volume 179 Biographies 66: He Sheng, Yang Duoerzhi, Xiao Baizhu · 2 passages

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後數日，帝讀《貞觀政要》，朵兒只侍側，帝顧謂曰：「魏徵古之遺直也，朕安得用之。」 A few days later, as the emperor read the Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Reign with Duoerzhi in attendance, he turned and said, "Wei Zheng was one of antiquity's faithful outspoken men. Where can I find such a person today?"

對曰：「直由太宗，太宗不聽，徵雖直，將焉用之。」 He replied, "Outspokenness depends on the ruler. If Taizong had not listened, however outspoken Wei Zheng might have been, of what use would he have been?"

History of Yuan, Chapter 203Volume 203 Biographies 90: Medicine and Divination, Arts and Crafts · 1 passage

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始元欲作侍臣像，久之未措手，適閱秘書圖畫，見唐魏徵像，矍然曰：「得之矣，非若此，莫稱為相臣者。」 At first Liu Yuan meant to sculpt the attendant ministers but for a long time could not begin. Browsing the Secretariat's collection of paintings, he came upon a portrait of Wei Zheng of Tang and started up, crying, "This is it! Without such a figure, none can be called a chancellor."