How did Taizong respond to criticism from his ministers early in his reign?

Early in his reign, the Taizong emperor was characterized by a style of government that welcomed and responded to the outspoken exhortations and remonstrance of his ministers.1

As a young ruler and a usurper who needed to unify his court, Taizong cultivated an image of an ideal governor who treated his advisers as "first among equals." He actively engaged with criticism from his officials, particularly those who utilized the language of Confucianism to offer guidance. This approach was famously documented in the Zhenguan zhengyao, which depicted his court as a utopian model of governance where the emperor remained empathetic toward his people and receptive to the counsel of talented ministers like Wei Zheng, who served as his public conscience.1

This responsiveness was a defining feature of his early leadership, though it is important to note that in the latter half of his reign, his demeanor shifted; he became increasingly arbitrary and grew impatient with such criticisms.1