SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Li Dui

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 37.6

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 37.6 criticizes Li Dui’s moral‑based dismissal of a magistrate for high revenue. It argues rising income can stem from good harvests or sound governance, not fraud; administrators need factual verification instead of vague suspicion.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.9

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    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.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.9

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.9 advocates “governing officials rather than people”. With tree‑shaking and chariot metaphors, it warns against ruler’s micromanagement and stresses mastering statecraft to avoid ministerial usurpation.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.4

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.4 advocates “governing officials instead of common people”. With vivid metaphors, it urges rulers to grasp core power, warning of catastrophic usurpation if statecraft is neglected.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 17.1

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    Han Feizi warns rulers that trusting family – wives, sons – leads to control. Loyalty is rare; self-interest drives all.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.6

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    Han Feizi cites brutal regicides. Rulers without law and statecraft face worse fates than lepers at ministers’ hands.

  • King Wuling’s daring reconnaissance mission [Warring States]

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    This article recounts the daring reconnaissance mission of King Wuling of Zhao during the Warring States period. To execute a surprise cavalry raid on the powerful state of Qin, the king made the audacious decision to infiltrate enemy territory himself. He abdicated in favor of his son to focus on war, then disguised himself…