Proper Rulership Assessment

• Are laws applied fairly?
• Do the people feel secure in their persons and property?

Negative Indicators

1. Loss of Capable People

   • Talented individuals leaving or being dismissed
   • Advisors being ignored or punished for honest counsel

2. Signs of Popular Discontent

   • People fleeing the territory
   • Increased crime or disorder
   • Complaints about corruption

3. Ruler's Personal Conduct

   • Excessive focus on pleasure over governance
   • Neglect of state affairs
   • Trusting flatterers over honest advisors

Assessment Questions

• "If the ruler were to use this person, would the state prosper or decline?"
• "Do the people speak well of the ruler's governance?"
• "Are neighboring states respectful or contemptuous?"

Validation

1. Cross-reference positive indicators (talent retention, fair laws) against negative indicators (flight of capable people, popular discontent) — contradictions signal hidden governance failures
2. Verify assessment objectivity by consulting multiple sources: ministers, common people, and neighboring states' envoys
3. Confirm that the ruler's retainer quality (e.g., caliber of advisors like 子贡, 颜回, 子路) reflects genuine talent attraction, not coerced service