Wei Zheng (580-643) was Chancellor of Tang China under Emperor Taizong of Tang from 629 to 642 AD.
Biography[]
Wei Zheng was born in Julu County, Hebei, Northern Qi, and he was originally trained as a Taoist monk. In 617, he became Li Mi's secretary during his rebellion against the Sui dynasty, and, after Li Mi surrendered to the Tang, Wei Zheng convinced Li Mi's former general Xu Shiji to do so as well. He later served on the staff of Tang crown prince Li Jiancheng, advising him to murder his younger brother Li Shimin. However, Li Shimin made the first move and had his brothers Jiancheng and Li Yuanji executed, and he forced his father Emperor Gaozu of Tang to abdicate before assuming the throne as "Emperor Taizong". Taizong then spared Wei Zheng, as he was touched by his loyalty to his brother, and Wei Zheng served as his Chancellor from 629 to 642. He remained an important advisor to the Emperor until his death in 643.