<h3>立木取信</h3><div><br></div><div>Shang Yang (商鞅) was an official (官员) in the state of Qin during the Warring States period. In order to build Qin into a powerful state, Shang Yang made some new laws (法律). But the question was: How could he make people trust (信任) him and obey (遵守) the laws?</div><div><br></div><div>Shang Yang got an idea. He set up a tall wooden pole (木杆) near the south gate of the city. Then he gathered (聚集) his people together and told them, “Anyone who can move the pole to the north gate will get 10 pieces of gold (十镒黄金).” People thought this was very strange and didn’t try to move the pole. Seeing that no one was coming, Shang Yang said, “Now I will give 50 pieces of gold to the one who can move the pole to the north gate.” This time, a man stood up and moved the pole. Shang Yang gave him 50 units of gold as he promised. People thought that Shang Yang was trustable (可信赖的). So they obeyed Shang Yang’s new laws. Qin became stronger. It was nice and peaceful everywhere.</div><div><br></div><div>It tells us…</div><div><br></div><div>This story tells us that a man who rules (统治) a country must first get the trust of its people. And he should always keep his promises (信守承诺).</div>