Originally referring to the hermit Tao Hongjing, who was frequently consulted on state affairs by the Emperor; later used to describe a person with great talent for governance who chooses to live in seclusion or is not officially employed by the state.

A high official who holds a position without doing any real work or fulfilling their duties; literally 'a chancellor who only keeps others company while dining'

Nickname for Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), the Prussian statesman and first Chancellor of Germany.