In the early years of Zhenguan, Taizong said to the ministers around him, "If there is a pearl, there is no respect. Wouldn't it be a pity to use it to eject birds? What's more, a person's life is more precious than a pearl. Seeing the gold, silver and money, he was not afraid of the criminal law network and immediately accepted it directly. This is not to cherish his life. Pearls are things outside the body, so they can't be used to eject birds, and they can't exchange their heavy lives for property? If the vassals can be prepared for loyalty and be more conducive to the people of the country, then this official title will be established. I can't get glory in this way, so I accepted the property. When the bribe was exposed, he died himself, which was really ridiculous. So did the emperor. Willful indulgence, overwork, trust in villains, alienate loyalty and integrity, how can one of them not die here? Emperor Yang Di was extravagant and thought it was ridiculous to die at the hands of a man. "

In the second year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers around him, "I didn't know that greedy people loved money." As for officials with more than five products inside and outside the imperial court, Dai is rich and earns a lot of money a year. If you accept bribes from others, it will only be tens of thousands. Once exposed, the salary is deprived. Is this to know how to be stingy with property? They lose a lot because of small things, and they lose more than they gain. Gong Yixiu used to like fish very much, but she didn't accept other people's fish. His fish will live forever. Those who are greedy for the monarch will die; Greedy for me, you will die. "Poetry" said: The wind is blowing fast, and there are a group of scum who are greedy for profit. What you said is true. Before, King Hui of Qin wanted to conquer Shu, but he didn't know this article, so he carved five Shi Niu and made gold. After Shu people saw it, they thought it would be golden. The King of Shu sent five lux cows into Shu in Xiao Daocheng. After Qin Jun's attack, Shu was destroyed. Tian Yannian, the great secretary of the Han Dynasty, took bribes of 30 million yuan, which was discovered and died. This kind of traffic is too numerous to mention! Now I learn from the King of Shu, and you should also learn from Tian Yannian.

In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers, "I am busy all day, caring for the people and loving the people, and I hope you will be rich for a long time." The sky is not high and the ground is not bad. I often fear heaven and earth carefully. If you can abide by the law seriously, you often fear heaven and earth as I do. Not only will the people be at peace, but you will also be happy forever. The ancients said:' A wise man who is rich will damage his ambition, while a fool who is rich will make mistakes. This sentence can serve as a warning. If you practice favoritism and corruption, it will not only destroy the national law, but also harm the people. Even if things are not exposed, how can you not be afraid all the time? There are many fears, some of which can lead to death. Can a person be greedy for property and harm his own life, making his children feel ashamed? You should seriously consider these words. "

In the sixth year of Zhenguan, Chen Wanfu, a right-back general, went to Beijing from Jiucheng Palace and illegally collected several stones from Yijiabran. Taizong gave him a number to recite shamefully.

In the ten years of Zhenguan, Shi Quan Wanji, a scholar in charge of books, said: "There are silver pits in Xuanzhou and Raozhou mountains, which make great profits and can earn millions every year." Taizong said, "I am the son of heaven, and I have nothing to lose in this matter." As long as you give people advice and do good deeds, it will be good for the people. With millions left in the country, how can we get a talented and virtuous person? You don't recommend virtuous people to do good deeds, and you don't expose illegal acts, eliminating the shock to powerful people. Only the road tax for selling silver pits feels good. Once upon a time, Yao and Shun Meiyu were in the mountains, and their jewels were thrown into the abyss. Therefore, they worship famous beauties and are called "Millennium". Later, Emperor Huan of Han Dynasty and Emperor Ling valued profit over righteousness and became incompetent monarchs in modern times. Do you want to compare me with Huan Di and Ling? "On this day, he ordered Quan Wanji to go home.

In the sixteenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers around him: "The ancients said:' A bird lives in the forest, but it is not high and then nests in the treetops; The fish hides in the water. I'm afraid it's not deep, and it was dug underground. However, people get it because they are greedy for bait. Now I accept the appointment. Being in a high position and enjoying a generous salary, you must be loyal and upright and follow justice, so there will be no disaster and you will remain rich for a long time. The ancients said:' There is no door to misfortune and happiness, only the call of people. Those who harm others and themselves are greedy for money. What's the difference between them and those fish and birds? You should take these words as a warning.

"Being greedy as a monarch will perish; Those who are greedy for me will die. " This is Emperor Taizong's effort to warn his ministers not to take bribes. Emperor Taizong and his ministers were able to govern the country in Xiu De, prevent greed and safeguard national security, and finally made the Tang Dynasty an unprecedented prosperous dynasty in the history of China.

In fact, it is not only the level of government governance that needs not to be greedy. In the cross-flow of material desires, we are faced with endless selfish desires. Only contentment and letting nature take its course can make us happy.