SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Rule by Stratagem

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.8

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    Juan

    This excerpt is from Canon Seven: Reversed Speech in Han Feizi. Han Fei advises rulers to feign appearances and speak ironically to probe suspects. By laying bait deliberately, the ruler lures suspicious figures into traps, forcing their treacherous true intentions to surface.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.7

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    Juan

    Classic VI: Asking While Knowing the Answer (Testing with Known Facts) If a ruler asks questions while already possessing the knowledge of the truth, those who are dishonest will be exposed; if a ruler thoroughly understands one specific matter, all hidden treacheries will be transformed. The proof of this lies in Marquis Zhao clutching…

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.6

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    Juan

    This excerpt is from Canon Five: Deceptive Commands in Han Feizi. Han Fei contends rulers should employ covert stratagems to create information asymmetry and psychological suspense. Keeping ministers guessing about his true intentions compels them to expose themselves and suspect one another, deterring reckless conduct.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.1

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    Juan

    This excerpt is from Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I, featuring Han Fei’s famous Seven Tactics for controlling ministers. Offering a systematic toolkit in concise language, he argues rulers must resolve information asymmetry and interest conflicts via multi‑source verification, strict rewards‑penalties and covert psychological probes to secure absolute sway over subordinates.