Are there any short stories about governing the country, from ancient times?

The story of standing up for a tree:

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Shang Yang of the Qin State presided over the reform with the support of Qin Xiaogong.

At a time when wars were frequent and people were in panic, in order to establish prestige and promote reforms, Shang Yang ordered a three-foot-long log to be erected outside the south gate of the capital, and made a promise in public: Who can take this? Move a piece of wood to the north gate and get a reward of ten taels.

The onlookers didn’t believe that such an easy thing could get such a high reward, so no one was willing to give it a try. So Shang Yang increased the reward to 50 gold. A heavy reward must be rewarded by a brave man. Finally, someone stood up and carried the wood to the north gate. Shang Yang immediately rewarded him with fifty gold pieces.

Shang Yang's move established prestige in the hearts of the people, and Shang Yang's subsequent reforms were quickly promoted in the Qin State. Since Shang Yang's reform, Qin's agricultural production has increased and its military strength has become stronger.

Soon, Qin attacked the western part of Wei, from Hexi to Hedong, and also captured Anyi, the capital of Wei.

Extended information:

Meaning:

"Building trust" became the breakthrough point of Shang Yang's reform. Shang Yang's move established prestige in the hearts of the people , ensuring the smooth implementation of the new law. The new law made Qin gradually stronger and stronger, and finally unified China. And in the place where "a tree stands for faith", 400 years ago, a ridiculous farce of "playing with princes by beacon fire" took place. ?

"Build a tree to gain trust." If you promise a thousand dollars, the reform will be successful, the country will be rich and the people will be strong; an emperor who has no faith will bring humiliation to himself, and his country will be destroyed. It can be seen that "faith" plays a very important role in the rise and fall of a country.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Limu Weixin