It is a fallacy to think that the Chinese emperors made decisions arbitrarily.
Since the time of the Northern Song, the emperors felt compelled to justify a decision to their advisors before implementing it.
Song scholars such as Cheng Yi argued that since the emperor was not naturally more virtuous than the common people, he had a responsibility to listen to his scholar-advisors to govern the empire.[p 7 Learning to Rule].
Yearly, these scholars would present interpretations of the Classics to the emperor. This ritual is called the Classic Mat.
The emperor, in turn, would deliver his Imperial Lecture to these scholars.
This practice continued into the Ming and Ching.
An example of this dialogue is the debate between Yongzheng and his advisors in respect of the rebel Zeng Jing.
Yongzheng wanted to release him but twice he received petitions from his advisors disagreeing with his pardon.
Ultimately, Yongzheng exercises his prerogative to issue the pardon. [ see Treason by the Book p 141]
Lwh, 4 Jan 25