During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it was a dynasty with the most talents in the Western Han Dynasty, such as the military generals Wei Qing and Huo Fuyi, the literary scholars Sima Xiangru, the historians Sima Qian, the conspirators Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang, the cool officials with the main father, and the loyal ministers with Ji Dian. So, what kind of courtiers are most valued by the emperor?
The literary scholar Sima Xiang was like a courtier, Emperor Wu of Han used him only to decorate the façade, the historian Sima Qian was basically the same, and Wei Qing, Huo Fuyi, Gongsun Hong, and Zhang Tang were used for officials, things were big and small, and those who did big things were heavy ministers, as for the use of loyal subjects, it was mainly to balance the power of all aspects, so that the power of some people would not be too heavy, and the direction of the dynasty would not be deviated. For example, Ji Dian attacked Gongsun Hong many times, so that Gongsun Hong, a villain who was heavily relied on by Emperor Wu of Han, had to be somewhat restrained in his work. Heavy subjects are those who hold great power, make ministers sing praises and praises, and loyal subjects balance right and wrong, but there are very few people who combine heavy subjects, courtiers, and loyal subjects, all three of which have a role under the emperor, and the Ming Emperor still uses heavy subjects.
For example, Li Si, the chancellor of the Qin Dynasty, was a heavy minister, but in the end he could not be loyal; Wei Zheng, the chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, was a typical example of a loyal subject, and no matter who had something unfavorable to the dynasty, he resolutely opposed it, while Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhan, and others were heavy ministers, focusing on doing things; Zhuge Liang was a heavy minister and also a representative of a loyal minister, who after Liu Bei's death, manipulated the authority of the Shu Han Dynasty all his life, but he was always loyal.
In fact, what we know most is that the heavy ministers have become traitors, and they either play the emperor between the palms of their hands, or directly oust the emperor from power and take charge of himself.
Well-known figures in history, such as Li Bai, were regarded by Emperor Xuanzong as a courtier, but he Bai himself did not want to be a courtier; Du Fu was a loyal minister, but his official position was too small; if Su Shi was not too straight to become a heavy minister. Of course, as far as literary attainments are concerned, these three are qualified to be a courtier and decorate the emperor with a façade, but they themselves do not want to do that.
(Image from the Internet)