Wu Qi sought to dismantle a Qin watchtower that was harming Wei's agriculture. Deeming a military operation unwise, he decided to mobilize the common people.
First, he placed a thill (a cart shaft) outside the north gate and announced a reward of fertile land and a fine house for anyone who moved it to the south gate. The people of Wei were skeptical. Only after a long while did one man attempt the task. Wu Qi promptly granted him the reward.
Later, he placed a dan (an ancient unit of measurement) of beans outside the east gate, promising the same reward to whoever moved them to the west gate. This time, people competed eagerly to do it.
Assured of the people's trust, Wu Qi made a final proclamation: "Tomorrow, whoever is first to scale that Qin watchtower will be appointed a dafu (a senior official) and receive the same reward of land and house."
The next morning, the people vied with each other to attack the watchtower. It was dismantled in no time.