To give up a destructive or violent way of life for a peaceful, productive one; to abandon fighting or a military career for farming; to turn over a new leaf and engage in honest labor.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Western Han Dynasty, farmers in the Bohai region were forced to become bandits due to famine. Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun, appointed Gong Sui, who was over 70 years old, as the Grand Administrator of Bohai.
Upon taking office, Gong Sui vigorously announced that anyone who returned to agricultural production and stopped their banditry would be pardoned for their past actions. He opened granaries to lend grain and provide relief to the starving people.
Consequently, these common folk eagerly sold their swords to buy oxen, returned to farming, and lived in peace and contentment.