The Solution

Resilient princes

Run with the horses and get trampled. It's impossible to get anywhere. Mount the chariot and take the reigns. The horses settle under the yoke. Bole trained them, Wangliang harnessed them and an enlightened master called for them. He did none of the work of training or tackling, but he drove them a thousand miles, admired by every expert charioteer.

The way of the prince does nothing but everything gets done, and when he decides, he doesn't play favourites. Because when he does something, they humour him, and when he does favours, they flatter him. By humouring him, they might catch him, and by flattering him, he can be lured.

But since the prince who appoints at another's command can't defend the constitution, the prince who appoints well is immune to their charms, and courting him is pointless. A conscience-inspired prince is the one thing no one can control.

He has to count on them, so he doesn't impose his will on them. He has to protect them, so he doesn't let them control him. With resilience and resolve like that, how could anything get out of hand? With respect and responsibility like that, how could anything go wrong?

So he doesn't command them, doesn't force them, but something motivates them, something makes them. He doesn't doubt their competence, doesn't do the work for them. He respects rank and expects results, orders the government to run itself. He leads the way in ignorance, takes control by taking advice.

And just like that, his team is well in hand.