Yánwang hǎo jiàn; xiǎoguǐ nándāng.*

閻王好見, 小鬼難當。

Lit The King of the Underworld is easy to deal with, [but] minor devils are hard to deal with.

Fig “Better to deal with the master than his servant.” It's easier to go straight to the top than to deal with subordinates.

Note [Also said ... xiǎoguǐ nánchán.]

Topics King of Hell OFFICIALS SUBORDINATES SUPERIORS Yánwang