Loyal Remonstrance
Officials have a duty to advise against wrong policies.
Loyal ministers must remonstrate with rulers who err. Flattery that lets bad policies proceed is disloyalty. True loyalty serves the ruler's real interest and the people's welfare, even if unpopular.
The duty of the minister is to remonstrate; if not listened to, to resign.
Speaking truth to power is part of loyal service.
Political Ethics
Written about in
- What Confucianism says about leading others
Confucian loyalty obliges the minister to contradict the ruler, and to resign when unheard. Flattery that lets a bad policy proceed counts as disloyalty, not tact. A leader who is never argued with is not being served.