"The road does not pick up the remains, and the door is not closed at night" describes the social situation in the famous period of "Zhenguan rule" in Chinese history. As a heyday in the history of China, "Zhenguan Governance" is the result of the efforts of Emperor Taizong and Li Shimin and the concerted efforts of the people of the whole country.
Source: Zi Zhi Tong Jian
Original text:
Discuss with the ministers to stop theft, or ask them to ban it with heavy laws, and go to Shang Yi (shěn), saying: "The reason why people are thieves is that they are burdened with numerous services, and officials are greedy, hungry and cold, so they are too embarrassed to care about their shame." I should go to luxury and save money, neglect thin taxes, choose honest officials, and make the people have enough food and clothing, so I won't be a thief, but I will use heavy law and evil. " After a few years, the sea is peaceful, the road is not picked up, the outside door is not closed, and business travel is wild.
Translation:
The emperor and his ministers discussed the prohibition of thieves. Someone asked for harsh laws to stop it. The emperor smiled and said, "The reason why ordinary people become thieves is that taxes are too high, labor and military service are too heavy, officials are insatiable, and ordinary people don't have enough to eat and clothes. This is a personal problem, so they can't afford to be ashamed. We should get rid of luxury, save money, reduce corvee, collect less taxes, select and appoint honest officials, so that ordinary people can have enough food and clothing. Then, naturally, they will not be thieves, so why should we use strict criminal law? " From then on, after a few years, the world was at peace, no one picked up what others had left on the road for himself, the gate could be left open, and businessmen and tourists could sleep out.