According to Records of the Historian, in order to gain the people’s trust before initiating his political reforms, Shang Yang (390?-338 BC) announced that, regardless of whoever it might be, if anyone was able to move a huge log 3 zhang long（ approx. 7 meters） from the southern gateway to the northern gateway of the market in the capital city, he would be amply rewarded. A person was bold enough to attempt this task and succeeded; hence he was immediately rewarded with a generous sum of money. After that, the people were convinced that Shang Yang was one who kept his word, and hence, he was able to issue his new decrees unimpeded. The important thing here is “the establishment of credibility” – winning the people’s trust. In order to pass a country’s decrees unimpeded, one must first gain trust, which is imperative for issuing a decree. Only in this way can the support and allegiance of the common people be gained.

After the decrees for reform being drawn but before being issued, Shang Yang, fearing that the people wouldn’t take the decrees seriously, he had a 30-zhang-long（approx. 7 meters) log erected in front of the southern gateway of the market place in the capital city. He declared that whoever could move the log from the southern gateway to the northern gateway would be given a reward of 10 yi (equivalent of 200 taels of copper). People found it very strange and nobody came forward to move the log. Shang then said, “Whoever can move the log will be awarded 50 yi (equivalent of 1,000 taels of copper).” One man came up and moved the log to the market’s northern gateway. Shang kept his words and immediately gave him the promised amount of reward. Thus Shang was able to issue the decrees of reform thereafter. (Records of the Historian)