This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.9 rebuts Jiu Liu’s warning against dual‑minister appointments. It argues risk lies not in the number of ministers, but in whether the ruler wields proper statecraft to keep them under control.
This Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.8 Legalist collection of anecdotes warns rulers against lending real authority. It cautions against revealing simulated likes‑dislikes, showing how misplaced trust enables ministers to seize political power.
Han Feizi recounts Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya split to back rival Qi princes. After Xiaobai became Duke Huan, Bao recommended jailed Guan as premier. The tale proves talented people rely on trusted friends instead of self-promotion to thrive.