To have a strong army, the nation must have a prosperous population. In other words, a prosperous people are the basis and pre-condition of a strong military. Prosperity means the state treasury is full so military supplies are guaranteed. If people live a good life, they will have large families and the supply of manpower for the army is guaranteed. If society is well off, the population is content and will support national military policies and decisions. The expression shows the concretion between the population and the military in line with the concept that “people are the foundation of a state.”

To make your nation strong, extend your boundaries; to make your army strong, enrich the people; to persuade all to accept your rule, govern with benevolence. If these three are accomplished, all under heaven is naturally yours.

(Strategies of the Warring States)