Reflections | Chinese emperors needed critics, just as world leaders do today
In ancient China, remonstrance officials were employed to keep the emperor in check, and while many were silenced, it was when their advice was heeded that the empire flourished
Back in imperial China, there was a prestigious class of officials whose principal function was to advise the emperor, and especially to remonstrate with him about what they considered improper conduct or flawed policy. In theory, it was a laudable institution to curb the power of the throne. In practice, however, most emperors ignored the advice or worse, punished the adviser. As a result, many remonstrance officials, fearful for their own lives and careers, prudently chose to remain silent.
An exception to the rule was the relationship between Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (598-649), considered by many to have been the greatest Chinese emperor in history, and Wei Zheng (580–643).
When Taizong was still a prince, Wei was an adviser to the former’s older brother and rival to the throne. After a successful coup, which saw the murder of two brothers and their sons and the forced abdication of his father, Taizong spared Wei’s life because he valued the latter’s honesty and candour. It was a testament to Taizong’s judgment of character that he appointed Wei – who had previously conspired against him as his brother’s counsellor – as grandmaster of remonstrance in his own court.