內儲說下六微

The six subtle signs are: first, power lent to subordinates; second, conflicting interests and external borrowing; third, concealment through similar appearances; fourth, reversals of benefit and harm; fifth, competing factions and internal strife; sixth, enemy states manipulating appointments. These six are what the ruler must watch for.

Principle One: Power Lent to Subordinates. Power and positional advantage must not be lent to others. When the ruler loses one share, the minister gains a hundredfold. When a minister obtains borrowed power, his strength multiplies; when his strength multiplies, he can manipulate both internal and external affairs; when he manipulates both, the ruler is obstructed. The illustration is in Laozi's parable of losing fish. Hence when a ruler speaks at length, attendants sell his favor like combs and brushes. The danger is shown by Xu Tong's remonstrance to Duke Li, and the single word of the Marquis of Zhou that led to the Yan man bathing in dung.

Principle Two: Conflicting Interests. The interests of ruler and minister are different; therefore no minister is truly loyal. When the minister's interest is established, the ruler's interest is extinguished. Thus treacherous ministers summon enemy troops to settle internal scores, raise foreign affairs to dazzle the ruler, and accomplish their private gain without regard for the state's peril. The illustration is in the Wei couple's prayer.

Principle Three: Concealment Through Similar Appearances. Matters of similar appearance are how the ruler is made to misdirect his punishments and how great ministers accomplish their private ends. Hence the servant poured water and Yi She was executed; Jiyang forged an order and two men were punished.

Principle Four: Reversals of Benefit and Harm. When an event arises that benefits someone, the one who benefits is its author. When something harmful occurs, one must investigate the reverse. Thus in an enlightened ruler's analysis, when the state is harmed he examines who profits; when a minister is harmed he examines who benefits from the reversal.

Principle Five: Competing Factions. The situation of competing factions is the source from which disorder arises. Hence the enlightened ruler is cautious about it. Thus Lady Li of Jin murdered Crown Prince Shensheng, and the lady of Zheng used poison.

Principle Six: Enemy States Manipulating Appointments. The enemy's concern is to corrupt through lavish attention and to court through flattery. If the ruler does not discern this, the enemy will manipulate his appointments. Hence King Wen subsidized Fei Zhong, and the King of Qin worried about the Chu envoy.

Weighty positional advantage is the ruler's deep pool; ministers are the fish of that deep pool. Once the fish escape from the deep, they cannot be recaptured. Once the ruler loses his weighty positional advantage to his ministers, it cannot be recovered. The ancients found it difficult to speak plainly, and so they entrusted the meaning to fish.

Rewards and punishments are the sharp instruments of rule. The ruler wields them to control his ministers; if ministers obtain them, they use them to obstruct the ruler. Therefore, if the ruler reveals in advance whom he will reward, ministers sell that favor as their own grace. If the ruler reveals in advance whom he will punish, ministers sell that threat as their own authority. Hence it is said: 'The state's sharp instruments must not be shown to others.'

A man and wife from Wei were making a prayer. The wife prayed: 'May nothing ill befall us, and may we receive a hundred bolts of cloth.' The husband said: 'Why so little?' She replied: 'If it were more, you would use it to buy a concubine.'

Among the King of Chu's beloved consorts was one called Zheng Xiu. The king had newly acquired a beautiful woman. Zheng Xiu befriended her and instructed her: 'The king is very pleased when people cover their mouths. When you approach the king, be sure to cover your mouth.' The beautiful woman entered the king's presence and, approaching him closely, covered her mouth. When the king asked the reason, Zheng Xiu said: 'She has always said she finds Your Majesty's odor offensive.' On an occasion when the king sat with both Zheng Xiu and the beautiful woman, Zheng Xiu first instructed the king's attendant: 'When the king gives an order, you must carry it out immediately.' The beautiful woman drew near to the king and repeatedly covered her mouth. The king flew into a rage: 'Cut off her nose!' The attendant drew a knife and mutilated the beautiful woman.

King Cheng of Chu had made Shang Chen the crown prince, but later wished to replace him with Prince Zhi. Shang Chen heard of this but was not yet certain. He asked his tutor Pan Chong: 'How can I verify this?' Pan Chong said: 'Host a feast for Jiang Mi and show her disrespect.' The crown prince did so. Jiang Mi exclaimed: 'Bah, you menial! No wonder the king wishes to depose you and enthrone Zhi!' Shang Chen said: 'Then it is true.' Pan Chong asked: 'Can you serve him?' 'I cannot.' 'Can you go to become a lord of another state?' 'I cannot.' 'Can you undertake the great enterprise?' 'I can.' Thereupon they raised the guards' troops and attacked King Cheng. The king begged to be allowed to eat bear's paws before dying. This was refused, and he killed himself.

King Wen subsidized Fei Zhong and planted him at King Zhou of Shang's side, directing him to remonstrate with Zhou and thereby confuse his mind.

The techniques of 'competing factions' and 'manipulating appointments' -- the enlightened ruler cuts them off internally and applies them externally. Subsidizing the lesser party, assisting the weaker faction: this is called 'temple attack.' When cross-referencing is employed internally and observation and intelligence-gathering are conducted externally, the enemy's deceptions are exposed.