| | King Wu defeated Yin. Zhaogong asked Tai Gong, "Now the people of Yin are unsettled in their dwellings; how can we make the world at peace?" Tai Gong said: "What benefits the people is like the warmth of sunlight in winter and the shade of trees in summer. In winter, people naturally seek the sun; in summer, they naturally seek the shade. They come without being summoned. Therefore, the way to govern the people is first to establish what benefits them, and then the people will come on their own. The people have three critical points that should not be disturbed frequently. If you disturb them, misfortune will follow. Clear rewards are insufficient; if they are insufficient, resentment among the people arises. Clear punishments make the people fearful; when the people are fearful, unexpected incidents arise. Close scrutiny disturbs the people; when the people are disturbed, they become unsettled in their dwellings and easily fall into disorder. Therefore, under a wise ruler, the people do not know what is good or bad, do not know where to follow or go. The ruler allows each person to be at peace with his own way of life, and thus the world remains tranquil." How joyful! Sages and all people under heaven are at peace and happy. King Wu said: "How should we do this?" Tai Gong said: "Sages safeguard the inexhaustible treasury and use inexhaustible wealth, upon which all under heaven rely. When all under heaven rely on them, then the world is governed." The prohibitions of Shen Nong state: what is born in spring and summer should not be harmed or injured. Carefully cultivate the advantages of the land to complete all things, do not take away from the people's benefits, and then farmers will follow their proper seasons. Appoint the virtuous and employ the capable, so that officials are competent; thus, the virtuous people will come to you. Therefore, rewards should be given for promoting the people's livelihood, and punishments should be applied to prevent people from committing crimes. Thus, when rewards and punishments are administered to the people, all under heaven will be transformed.
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