《明史·列传·卷一百九十六》
惟庸也自觉奋进，曾以遇事小心谨慎博得皇上欢心，进一步获得皇上的宠信。他为此当了多年独相，生杀废黜大事，有的不报告皇上便径直执行。
惟庸亦自励，尝以曲谨当上意，宠遇日盛，独相数岁，生杀黜陟，或不奏径行。
Wenyong was self-motivated. He had won the emperor's favor by being careful and prudent when facing affairs and having further won the emperor's favor. He had been the only chancellor for many years and controlled the important affairs of executions, appointments and dismissals. Sometimes, he carried out the execution without reporting to the emperor.