Modern rule of law insists that 'serving the public by law levels high and low' - treating all ranks alike.
Tips
history
From 《史记·廉颇蔺相如列传》 (Sima Qian, Shiji, ca. 94 BCE). General 赵奢 (Zhao She), then a tax officer, executed nine of 平原君's servants for tax evasion. Summoned by the furious lord, he argued: 君于赵为贵公子，今纵君家而不奉公，则法削；法削则国弱 (Sir, you are a noble of Zhao: if I spare your household and do not uphold the public duty, the law is eroded; the law eroded, the state is weakened). Pingyuan was so impressed he recommended Zhao She to the king; Zhao later won the Battle of Eyu (270 BCE).
usage
Three-link Warring States maxim: 奉公如法 then 上下平 then 国强. 奉公 = serve the public interest; 如法 = act in accord with law. Contrasts with the Confucian emphasis on 礼 (ritual propriety); this is a Legalist-leaning formulation.
