The Virtuous Chancellor of Zhenguan: Du Ruhui

Du Ruhui, chief of the Eighteen Scholars of the Prince of Qin's household, was a renowned statesman in the early Tang dynasty and one of the Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion. Together with Fang Xuanling, he was famed for “Fang's schemes and Du's decisions,” serving as a key strategist to Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, in establishing the Reign of Zhenguan.

As a youth, his decisions showed that he understood the world. In times of turmoil, they helped him choose his lord. On the battlefield, they determined the right moment. In the palace, they meant cutting ties with family. As chief minister, he made decisions about laws, people, and affairs.

His final decision, as death approached, was to accept his fate.