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上既闻廉颇、李牧为人，良说，而搏髀曰：“嗟乎！吾独不得廉颇、李牧时为吾将，吾岂忧匈奴哉！”唐曰：“主臣！陛下虽得廉颇、李牧，弗能用也。”上怒，起入禁中。良久，召唐让曰：“公奈何众辱我，独无闲处乎？”唐谢曰：“鄙人不知忌讳。”
当是之时，匈奴新大入朝罢，杀北地都尉昂。上以胡寇为意，乃卒复问唐曰：“公何以知吾不能用廉颇、李牧也？”唐对曰：“臣闻上古王者之遣将也，跪而推毂，曰阃以内者，寡人制之；阃以外者，将军制之。军功爵赏皆决于外，归而奏之。此非虚言也。臣大父言，李牧为赵将居边，军市之租皆自用飨士，赏赐决于外，不从中扰也。委任而责成功，故李牧乃得尽其智能，遣选车千三百乘，彀骑万三千，百金之士十万，是以北逐单于，破东胡，灭澹林，西抑强秦，南支韩、魏。当是之时，赵几霸。其后会赵王迁立，其母倡也。王迁立，乃用郭开谗，卒诛李牧，令颜聚代之。是以兵破士北，为秦所禽灭。今臣窃闻魏尚为云中守，其军市租尽以飨士卒，〔出〕私养钱，五日一椎牛，飨宾客军吏舍人，是以匈奴远避，不近云中之塞。虏曾一入，尚率车骑击之，所杀甚众。夫士卒尽家人子，起田中从军，安知尺籍伍符。终日力战，斩首捕虏，上功莫府，一言不相应，文吏以法绳之。其赏不行而吏奉法必用。臣愚，以为陛下法太明，赏太轻，罚太重。且云中守魏尚坐上功首虏差六级，陛下下之吏，削其爵，罚作之。由此言之，陛下虽得廉颇、李牧，弗能用也。臣诚愚，触忌讳，死罪死罪！”文帝说。是日令冯唐持节赦魏尚，复以为云中守，而拜唐为车骑都尉，主中尉及郡国车士。
当是之时，匈奴新大入朝罢，杀北地都尉昂。上以胡寇为意，乃卒复问唐曰：“公何以知吾不能用廉颇、李牧也？”唐对曰：“臣闻上古王者之遣将也，跪而推毂，曰阃以内者，寡人制之；阃以外者，将军制之。军功爵赏皆决于外，归而奏之。此非虚言也。臣大父言，李牧为赵将居边，军市之租皆自用飨士，赏赐决于外，不从中扰也。委任而责成功，故李牧乃得尽其智能，遣选车千三百乘，彀骑万三千，百金之士十万，是以北逐单于，破东胡，灭澹林，西抑强秦，南支韩、魏。当是之时，赵几霸。其后会赵王迁立，其母倡也。王迁立，乃用郭开谗，卒诛李牧，令颜聚代之。是以兵破士北，为秦所禽灭。今臣窃闻魏尚为云中守，其军市租尽以飨士卒，〔出〕私养钱，五日一椎牛，飨宾客军吏舍人，是以匈奴远避，不近云中之塞。虏曾一入，尚率车骑击之，所杀甚众。夫士卒尽家人子，起田中从军，安知尺籍伍符。终日力战，斩首捕虏，上功莫府，一言不相应，文吏以法绳之。其赏不行而吏奉法必用。臣愚，以为陛下法太明，赏太轻，罚太重。且云中守魏尚坐上功首虏差六级，陛下下之吏，削其爵，罚作之。由此言之，陛下虽得廉颇、李牧，弗能用也。臣诚愚，触忌讳，死罪死罪！”文帝说。是日令冯唐持节赦魏尚，复以为云中守，而拜唐为车骑都尉，主中尉及郡国车士。
After hearing about the famous and accomplished Warring States era generals Lián Pō and Lĭ Mů from Feng Tang (a native of Zhao), Emperor Wen sighed and expressed regret he did not have such talents to take care of the Xiongnu threats.
Feng Tang replied candidly even if such talents were available, the emperor might not employ them well. This infuriated the emperor who left in a huff.
Shortly, Xiongnu launched expeditions in the border regions, raiding the Yunzhong prefectures (in present day Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot municipality, Tokto county). The Han Imperial Court had the local garrison commander Wči Shŕng arrested, awaiting trial.
Emperor Wen couldn't resist summoning Feng Tang to ask him why Feng said he wouldn't employ the likes of Lian Po and Li Mu.
Feng Tang replied, "I read that in ancient times, when a ruler despatched a general on an expedition, he would bow towards the chariot and declare 'All internal affairs will be handled by me, all external affairs will be given to your charge.'.
Hence, all military merits, conferring titles and rewards, were decided on the field and reported to the ruler upon return. This is the truth.
My grandfather told me when Li Mu was general of Zhao, securing the borders, he used the taxes from the markets to provide for the troops, deciding their rewards without interference from the capital. That enabled him to exercise his capabilities: driving off the Chanyu (Xiongnu leader), defeating the Donghu, wiping out Tanlin, fending off encroachments from State of Qin to the west, reinforcing the neighbouring States of Han and Wei.
The State of Zhao was on the brink of hegemony when the Zhao ruler chose to believe slanders of petty men instead of Li Mu and had Li Mu executed. The State of Zhao declined henceforth and never recovered, and was eventually doomed.
I now speak privately, when Wei Shang was military commander in Yunzhong, not only did he used the revenues from the market taxes to provide for the troops, he also supplemented it with his own income. There would be oxen slaughter every five days for the troops and other retainers to feast upon.
Thus, the Xiongnu avoided him and Yunzhong. They had suffered heavy losses at the hands of the troops led by Wei Shang when they tried raiding there once before.
These troops are from farming backgrounds. They know not about official documents nor protocols. They only know to fight hard, kill the enemies and taking captives.
When they submitted their reports, the civil officials would pick on the trivial errors and throw the book on them. The soldiers are not only deprived of their just rewards, they were also severely punished.
Your humble servant is slow-of-understanding, and felt that Your Majesty was quick to punish and slow to reward.
Wei Shang's report overstated the number of enemy heads presented by six, and for that, he was stripped of his title and thrown into jail, sentenced hard labour.
Thus, even if Your Majesty had the likes of Lian Po and Li Mu, they could not be employed.
I am a fool and have offended Your Majesty, I deserve death."
After hearing Feng Tang, on the same day, Emperor Wen authorised Feng Tang to releast Wei Shang and reinstate his post in Yunzhong. Feng Tang was appointed commander of the cavalry, in charge of the central and regional cavalry troops.