In the chapter The Way of the Ruler (主道), Han Feizi writes: “The ruler must not show what he wants. If he shows what he wants, the ministers will carve and polish themselves to match it. The ruler must not show his intentions. If he shows them, the ministers will display themselves as something special.” And: “Put away likes and dislikes, and the ministers will show their plain selves.”
The same chapter gives a rule for officials: “Let each office have one man, and do not let them talk to one another. Then all things will come out in full.” (官有一人，勿令通言，则万物皆尽)