The philosopher Xunzi, who had been a follower of Confucius, had in turn been a teacher of Han Fei.
In addition to some Confucian and Mohist ideas, Han Fei tried to include the Daoist concept of wuwei (non-action) in Legalism.
For instance, Han Fei advised that the ideal Legalist ruler should incorporate wuwei.
Han Fei proposed that laws and ministers would carry out punishments of the law, while the ruler was supposed to remain in the background.
In this way, the ruler should not have to take direct action (hence he follows wuwei); Han Fei advocated this as a strategy for maintaining power over the people.