English Original
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.
中文翻译
吴起想拆除一座危害魏国农耕的秦国瞭望楼。他认为动用军队不合算，于是决定借助民众的力量。
他首先将一根车辕放在北门外，下令说谁能将其搬到南门，就赏赐良田美宅。魏国百姓起初都不相信有这样的好事。过了很久，才有一人尝试。吴起立即兑现了奖赏。
随后，他又将一石赤豆放在东门外，承诺给予同样的奖赏给将其搬到西门的人。这一次，百姓们争相前来搬运。
确信已赢得民众的信任后，吴起发布了最后的命令：“明日，谁能率先登上那座秦国瞭望楼，将被任命为‘大夫’（高级官职），并得到同样的田宅奖赏。”
第二天一早，百姓们争先恐后地攻击瞭望楼，顷刻间便将其拆除。