Emperor Taizong and Zhangsun Shunde During the Chinese Tang Dynasty

In the age of the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, a courtier named Zhangsun Shunde aroused criticism because he accepted bribes. Contrary to everyone’s expectation that he would be sentenced to a severe punishment, the emperor granted him ten rolls of silk.

“Why do you give Zhangsun Shunde rolls of silk instead of punishing him?”

“It is more painful to receive a prize without knowing the reason than to be punished. If he does not know such a shame, what is the use of punishing him?”

However, Zhangsun Shunde did not know the great will of the emperor, and before long he made another mistake and was expelled from the public office. A year later, the emperor called in Zhangsun Shunde again, after hearing that he was tormented by a guilty conscience every day. The courtiers’ fear and respect toward the emperor became much deeper.