Be Receptive to Counsels from Ministers
44. The key to success of a leader lies in the fact that the bare truth should never be concealed from him. Thus, he must allow his subordinates to remonstrate with him and be keen to accept a wide variety of counsels and suggestions, irrespective of whether they came from the nobles or the lowly. Be they servants, houseboys, herdsmen or stablemen, everyone must be allowed to express their views.
Scroll 47: Zheng Yao Lun
45. If you need to determine perpendicularity, you should use a plumb rule with a plumb line. If you need to determine whether it is a circle, you use compasses; to determine a square, use an angle rule. If a ruler wishes to know where he has gone wrong, he should seek the help of someone who dares to point out his shortcomings.
Scroll 39: Lü Shi Chun Qiu
46. The ancient sage-rulers were keen to know where they went wrong and thus were able to hear honest and upright remonstrations to remedy their shortcomings.
Scroll 49: Fu Zi
47. In running his administration, a wise ruler expected the words of his ministers to be made public, while encouraging remonstrations even from men of inferior status to attract worthy people to serve in his government. He would not decline remonstrations, not because he expected to adopt all counsels given, but rather, to ensure that invaluable advice was never rejected in the process.
Scroll 44: Qian Fu Lun
48. The magnanimity of a benevolent ruler—being as mighty as a mountain and as vast as a lake—would enable him to be ever ready to accept straightforward and earnest strategic plans.
Scroll 22: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 2
49. As everyone in the imperial court regarded the fate of Cai Yong as a painful lesson, ministers are now exercising extra care not to offend those of senior rankings for fear of courting trouble or being assassinated. I know that truth will no longer be heard in the imperial court. But should a person who disclosed the plain truth deserve punishment? Should we lay the blame on a mirror because it reflects our blemishes? If a ruler worries that open remonstrations of his shortcomings will be recorded in history he should not have encouraged remonstrations to be given. If one does not want his blemishes to be reflected in a mirror he should not have looked himself in the mirror. May Your Highness consider my words carefully and pardon the ministers who have revealed your shortcomings and inadequacies.
Scroll 24: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 4
50. If a ruler can tolerate and heed the advice of upright ministers, the impact of his mistakes will not bring disaster to his people, and the hardship suffered by his people can also be brought to his attention.
Scroll 49: Fu Zi
51. An honorable ruler would naturally have upright ministers. As ancient sage-rulers were worried that they might not be able to realize and rectify their shortcomings, they implemented the “remonstrating drum” to allow remonstrators to beat the drum in order for them to express their views.
Scroll 26: Wei Zhi, Vol. 2
52. During the reigns of emperors Yao and Shun, the remonstrating drum was set up in the court, and wooden pillars were erected in major hallways to allow civilians to inscribe their complaints. The sage-rulers of the Yin and Zhou dynasties would listen attentively to people’s complaints and deliberate the truth of what was spoken, and allow people to speak their minds without prohibition. After listening to their suggestions, the ruler would be in a better position to judge the situation of his people.
Scroll 23: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 3
53. King Yu governed his kingdom through the application of “five sounds” generated by musical instruments. On the door of the imperial court hung a bell, a drum, a proclamation or war bell, and a chime stone; another small revolving drum with a handle was placed beside them. Visiting scholars were greeted by the following words, engraved on the wooden rack: “Please hit the drum if you want to teach me the Great Way; strike the bell if you want to teach me about honor; shake the proclamation or war bell if you want to teach me about administrative affairs; hit the chime stone if you want to brief me about national issues, and if you want to discuss lawsuits please swing the revolving drum.” These were the functions of the “five sounds”. It was said that on one occasion, King Yu was interrupted seven times during a meal to attend to official matters and could only finish his meal by noon. King Yu said: “I do not worry about sages idling along the road, but am worried that I might not be prompt in receiving invaluable advice from these people and neglected them at my courtyard.” Thus, learned men came from all over the kingdom to offer valuable ideas to Yu and so there was lasting peace and order during his reign.
Scroll 31: Yu Zi
54. Emperor Gaozu of the Han dynasty was always ready to accept good advice and would never hesitate to listen to remonstrations as surely as spinning a round object.
Scroll 19: Han Shu, Vol. 7
55. Allowing open remonstrations against the government was never meant to leave a good impression, but rather, due to the fact that if upright opinions were not heard, the ruler might be veiled from the plain truth. Being concealed from the plain truth and surrounded by irresponsible subordinates who were flatterers—these were the crucial factors leading to the downfall of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, even without their knowledge.
Scroll 49: Fu Zi
56. Even the great doctor, Bian Que, could not cure illnesses that were not receptive to acupuncture and medicine; and even the saints and sages could not help rulers who were not open to sensible advice. Despite having faithful ministers such as Guan Longpang, the Xia dynasty came to an end under King Jie’s tyrannical rule. Another despot, King Zhou of the Shang dynasty, had able ministers like Wei Zi, Ji Zi and Bi Gan, but his despotic rule quickly brought the downfall of the Shang dynasty. Hence rulers should never worry that their ministers might not be as competent as Guan Zhong or You Yu, but should worry that they might not be able to accept remonstrations as willingly as Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Mu of Qin did.
Scroll 42: Yan Tie Lun