suggestions she would be holy. Therefore, the ancient holy rulers always had seven advisors who were willing to speak honestly and willing to die if their suggestions were not followed. Your Imperial Majesty is willing to receive our weed-like suggestions, and I happen to be serving here in an administration that has no taboos. I am willing to offer my wild words. Emperor Taizong approved of Wang's response and ordered that whenever high-level officials would meet with him to discuss important matters of state, officials whose responsibilities were criticism should follow them in. He treated Wang with kindness, creating him the Baron of Yongning and made him the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) as well as an advisor for his son and crown prince Li Chengqian. Later that year, the head of the examination bureau, Gao Shilian, was demoted after he withheld a petition from Wang, and in 628, Emperor Taizong made Wang the acting head of the examination bureau instead—a post considered as one for a chancellor. On an occasion in 628, Wang was attending a feast held by Emperor Taizong, when a beautiful concubine of Emperor Taizong's, who was originally a concubine of Li Yuan the Prince of Lujiang and who was taken into Emperor Taizong's palace after Li Yuan was executed, was attending to Emperor Taizong. Emperor Taizong stated, "The Prince of Lujiang was despicable. He killed her husband and seized her. How could he survive long after this barbarous act!" Wang instead responded, "Does Your Imperial Majesty believe that the Prince of Lujiang was correct in seizing this woman?" Emperor Taizong responded, "Why do you ask me whether it is correct to kill a woman's husband and seize her?" Wang responded, "I had once read from the writings of Guan Zhong, which stated, 'When Duke Huan of Qi visited the land of Guo [formerly an independent state], he asked the seniors of Guo, "Why was Guo destroyed?" The seniors stated, "The lord of Guo knew right from wrong." Duke Huan responded, "If you are correct, then he was an intelligent ruler. Why was he destroyed?" The seniors responded, "The lord of Guo knew what was right but could not do it. He also knew what was wrong but could not stop doing it. That was why he was destroyed."' Now, this woman is still by your side. I believe it