Exaggerating his mistakes and distorting his intentions is certainly wrong, but deifying him is also biased.
After evaluating the two major achievements of Emperor Taizu of Sheng, Meng Yuan addressed a third aspect based on his personal traits, which encompassed both the achievements and some weaknesses in Emperor Taizu of Sheng's character.
Some said that the systems established by Emperor Taizu of Sheng were outdated, thus unsuccessful; others claimed that Emperor Taizu of Sheng was bloodthirsty and brutal, with rules for officials that were overly stringent and impractical.
To the point where someone asked, "There are many corrupt officials under heaven, shall all be killed?"
Emperor Taizu of Sheng's reply was, "How could you know that killing them all wouldn't work?"
He was like a fully drawn bowstring, once the bow was shot, there was no turning back!
