During the late Western Jin Dynasty, Zhang Gui, a descendant of the famed Han prince Zhang Er, seized control of Liangzhou and earned great renown. After his death, his heir Zhang Shi inherited his position. Emperor Min of Jin issued an imperial decree appointing Zhang Shi as General of the Western Central Army, Inspector of Liangzhou, and Duke of Xiping, granting him command over all military forces in the Western Liang region.
Zhang Shi, hoping to govern Xiliang as well as his father had, faced a region plagued by years of drought and famine. Believing his own shortcomings were to blame, he issued a decree: "I have always admired those who offer counsel to correct my faults. From now on, anyone who criticizes my mistakes to my face will be rewarded with silk. Those who point out my errors in writing will receive brocade in a bamboo basket. And anyone who openly reproaches me in the marketplace will be given sheep and grain."
After the order was issued, a subordinate named Wei Jin immediately stepped forward to advise, "Wise rulers establish advisory officials at court to correct matters that go against principle, relying on their ministers to fill gaps and remedy omissions. But now, regardless of the matter's size, everything is decided solely by Your Majesty. The officials, fearing your authority, dare not disobey, so whether the outcome is good or bad, all credit or blame falls on you alone, and your subordinates cannot share the responsibility. In such a situation, even if you offered a thousand pieces of gold as a reward, no one would dare to offer counsel."
Zhang Shi agreed with Wei Jin's reasoning and rewarded him generously.
Because Zhang Shi listened humbly to advice, Liangzhou was soon well-governed.
Que, meaning "lack." Later, the idiom "Bu Que Shi Yi" came to describe supplementing omissions and missing content.
Source: *Book of Jin*, "Biography of Zhang Gui"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "补阙拾遗" came to describe how supplementing omissions and missing content.