Kautilya's Arthashastra 5.6.3

5.6.3

rājavyañjanam arūpavelāyāṃ prakṛtīnāṃ darśayet, mitrāmitradūtānāṃ ca //

On appropriate occasions, he may show a pseudo-king not only to the people, but also to messengers coming from friends or enemies; and this (false) king shall make the minister his mouth-piece in conversing with them as deserved. And through the medium of the gate-keeper and the officer in charge of the harem, the minister shall (pretend to) receive the orders of the king. Displeasure or mercy to wrong-doers shall be shown only indirectly.