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Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 31. Chapters: Wei Zheng, Chu Suiliang, Fang Xuanling, Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Li Xian, Anania Shirakatsi, Cui Renshi, Cen Wenben, Cenn Faelad mac Ailella, Yao Silian, Linghu Defen, Li Anqi, Li Chunfeng, John of Nikiu, Sebeos, Fan Lubing, Theophylact Simocatta, Desiderius of Vienne, Athanasius of Balad, George of Resh'aina, Li Baiyao, Li Dashi, Secundus of Non. Excerpt: Wei Zheng (Chinese: Wade-Giles: Wei Cheng) (580-643), courtesy name Xuancheng ( ), formally Duke Wenzhen of Zheng ( ), was a Chinese politician and the lead editor of the Book of Sui, composed in 636. He served as a chancellor of Tang Dynasty for about 13 years, during the reign of Emperor Taizong. Wei was born to a poor family in modern Hebei, and joined Li Mi's rebellion against Sui Dynasty during his youth. After Li Mi's submission to Tang Dynasty, Wei became a Tang official and eventually served on the staff of Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince, the oldest son of Tang's founding emperor Emperor Gaozu. As such, he served against the interests of Li Jiancheng's younger brother Li Shimin the Prince of Qin, with whom Li Jiancheng was locked in an intense rivalry. In 626, Li Shimin ambushed and killed Li Jiancheng, and then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to yield the throne to him. Rather than punishing Wei, however, he was impressed with Wei's faithfulness to Li Jiancheng, and he made Wei an important official, eventually a chancellor. Wei's promotion to this position gave him far broader freedom to criticise others, particularly the emperor, than other officers of the court. He emphasized propriety and opposed overextending the state. His advice and criticism were not always accepted, but in accordance with Confucian etiquette, the emperor would concede to his suggestions with some regularity. After Wei's death in 643, the emperor commented that he was a mirror ...
7th-Century Historians: Wei Zheng, Chu Suiliang, Fang Xuanling, Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Li Xian, Anania Shirakatsi, Cui Renshi, Cen Wenben