xià下mǎ马wēi威
An initial display of authority or power to intimidate or warn others, especially upon taking a new position or encountering a new situation.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Western Han Dynasty, Ban Bo, a young nobleman from a powerful family, voluntarily offered to serve as the Prefect of Dingxiang, a region fraught with disorder.
As soon as he arrived, the local gentry and influential families concealed all former offenders.
However, upon taking office, Ban Bo extensively hosted banquets for these gentry and influential families, befriending them.
After discerning the hiding places of the offenders, he immediately ordered their capture and execution.
Dingxiang soon achieved stability.