"Since ancient times, the affairs of the world have been hard to win and easy to hold. Yet those who begin well cannot end well. Why is that? Because while striving to advance, they must deal wholeheartedly with those above and below them, but once their ambitions are fulfilled, they indulge themselves and look down on others... I am not saying that you indulge yourself and look down on others, Lord Bai. Rather, the Bai Clan has vast holdings and undertakings, and the Ministry of Works controls such enormous projects. What use is it if you alone remain prudent and virtuous, sitting high above it all?"
"You have made many mistakes, Lord Bai, but the greatest problem is extravagance without restraint, wasteful planning, and no limits on the use of people and materials..."
"The next problem is lax enforcement of regulations, allowing funds and goods earmarked for particular purposes to flow out unchecked. This alone has spawned countless gangs in the Eastern Capital, which in turn has left public order rotten..."
"Beyond that, inadequate planning and a disregard for the people's labor and lives are also major problems. Why, when labor was being levied in winter, did the distribution of tents and winter clothing only begin more than ten days after the laborers arrived in force? If this was an oversight, something no one thought of, then naturally the responsible officials in the Ministry of Works were stupid beyond endurance. If they did think of it, but considered the laborers so lowly that letting them freeze for ten days did not matter, then certain officials lack virtue and humanity, and you have neglected to discipline them, Lord Bai..."
"But all in all, construction of the Bright Hall should never have begun so lightly. I am ignorant, but I cannot help