Mutual need is the foundation of building order.

The reason command systems exist is that the differences between individuals are minimal. Even if Zhao Kuangyin himself wanted to seize the throne in a yellow robe, he still needed the support of his subordinates; without their support, he couldn't have done it.

You have to give other people's existence a sense of meaning.

Like the Earl teaching his nephew in Downton Abbey: I know you have hands and feet, and I know you don't want people touching your body. But you must let your first footman button your clothes for you, and you must praise him. That way, he'll feel like he exists, and the social order will be maintained.

The last sentence is the key point. He's such an outstanding young talent—if he doesn't have an advancement ladder, if he can't button your clothes for you, do you want him to set up his own rival faction?

Even if robots were invented to button clothes, that first footman would still be assigned to do something else. Something even less meaningful, but it would make him feel like he's doing something very meaningful.

You might lose your original job, but you won't lose employment. The purpose was never about meaning—it's about making sure you're not idle. You can't be idle; even if there's nothing to do, you must be kept busy. If you're busy, you won't cause trouble. Let people get off work early, and they'll start overthinking and plotting schemes.