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In this episode, we talk about a very special phenomenon regarding the relationship between the Emperor and his people, which is the generation of straightforward officials like Chen Jian. Jian was the most candid minister towards the Emperor, and many did not get along with him. The minister would rather not speak or act, and we will look at several instances. First, during Kangxi's reign, the feudal emperor’s command was sacred, and failing to follow it was considered treason punishable by death. However, even Kangxi endured Jian’s behavior. For example, in the third year of Jianyuan (which is the third year after the Han Dynasty ascended the throne), war broke out in the south between the kingdoms of Dong Yue and Minyue. Jian was sent on a mission to investigate, but instead of going to Fujian or Vietnam where the conflict was, he went to Wu (modern-day Suzhou in Kuaiji County). Upon arriving, he decided not to proceed further and returned without completing his mission. When the Emperor asked why, Jian replied that he didn’t go because the war between Dong Yue and Minyue involved too many people and customs, leading to unnecessary loss of lives. He believed it wasn't worth sending an imperial envoy to observe. Surprisingly, there is no historical record of Jian being punished for this, indicating a very unique tolerance from the Emperor.

Another incident involved a fire in Hanoi (modern-day Wuzhi County in Henan Province). Thousands of houses were destroyed, and Jian was dispatched to inspect the situation. His report stated that the fire occurred due to densely built houses and was not unusual. However, upon passing through Henan County, he opened the granary without imperial decree to provide relief to the victims. This action, unauthorized and outside his jurisdiction, should have been impossible for any other official, yet Jian faced no punishment from the Emperor.

During another fire in Hanoi, Jian confessed his sins and requested punishment. Instead of penalizing him, Emperor Wu promoted Jian from a secretary responsible for sending and receiving files (Yezhe) to the position of magistrate. Historical records show that Jian's actions, though unconventional, were tolerated and even rewarded.

Jian also criticized Emperor Wu's policy towards the Xiongnu, questioning the prolonged warfare. Despite the Emperor's strong stance against the Xiongnu throughout his 54-year reign, involving 44 years of war, Jian opposed these campaigns. In one instance, when 40,000 Xiongnu surrendered to the Han Dynasty, Jian argued against criminalizing their illegal trade in the capital. He proposed making them slaves to families who had lost members in the war and distributing their property accordingly. Although these suggestions were inappropriate, they highlighted Jian's boldness.

Jian's criticism extended to trusted ministers like Zhang Tang, whom he publicly condemned for revising Han laws improperly. Even more audacious was Jian's direct confrontation with Emperor Wu's policies. He questioned the feasibility of following the virtuous examples of ancient rulers like Yao and Shun, calling such aspirations unrealistic. Despite the harshness of his words, Emperor Wu tolerated Jian, adjourning court sessions and refraining from immediate punishment.

The reasons behind Emperor Wu's tolerance include recognizing Jian's upright and loyal nature, appreciating his focus on the nation's fundamental interests, and valuing his talent and principled character. Although Jian was often critical and sometimes impractical, Emperor Wu saw potential in him as a "boat" minister—someone reliable enough to assist the next emperor.

Despite his tolerance, Emperor Wu did not reuse Jian in higher offices, choosing instead to appoint figures like Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang. Jian's later career involved governing the Donghai region, where his laissez-faire approach still resulted in effective governance. Even in his final days, Jian remained outspoken, earning both admiration and sorrow.

Ultimately, Emperor Wu's rare tolerance for dissent demonstrated a unique aspect of leadership during the Han Dynasty. While Jian faced challenges and criticisms, his ability to voice differing opinions contributed significantly to the dynasty's strength and adaptability.