Han Fei mocks the anti-Qin alliance. Poor governance, empty treasuries, and unenforced rewards/punishments make them weak, destined to fail against Qin.
The maxim — “Intentional good deeds deserve no reward; unintentional wrongdoings warrant no punishment” — originates from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Examination for the Post of City God (Candidate for the City God). It was Song Tao’s answer during his underworld examination.