The second Qin emperor, Qin Er Shi (秦二世 ) who reigned from 221 to 206 B.C., had a prime minister named Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao was very ambitious and had treasonous ambitions. He wanted to attempt a coup of Qin Er Shi but didn’t know who in the Emperor’s court would go along with his plans.
One day Zhao Gao presented the Emperor with a deer, but said it was a swift horse.
“Prime Minister, you are clearly mistaken. That is a deer.’
Zhao Gao, prepared for this response replied, “If that is the case, Your Majesty, ask the member of your court what it is.”
Some of the court remained quiet. Some, knowing how treacherous Zhao Gao was, went along with his claim. Others, called a spade a spade and told the Emperor it was a deer.
Knowing who his allies were, those royal courtiers who said the animal was a deer were executed. The cunning Zhao Gao knew who his allies were.