During the Warring States period, a man named Shang Yang from the state of Wei developed a passion for criminal law from a young age. As an adult, he traveled to the state of Wei and served as a mid-level official under Prime Minister Gongshu Cuo, who greatly valued his talents.
After Gongsun Cuo's death, Shang Yang lost his patron in the State of Wei. Hearing that Duke Xiao of Qin was actively seeking talent, Shang Yang left Wei and traveled to Qin to seek an audience. Duke Xiao received Shang Yang twice but rejected his proposals both times. On the third meeting, Shang Yang, sensing the duke's desire to strengthen Qin through law, focused his argument on legal reforms. He declared, "A ruler who wishes to dominate must enforce clear laws and reward merit without favor." This finally captured the duke's interest, leading him to adopt Shang Yang's transformative policies.
Soon after, Duke Xiao appointed Shang Yang as Chief Minister to implement reforms. To win public trust, Shang Yang erected a wooden pole at the south gate of the capital, offering a reward of 10 gold pieces to anyone who could move it to the north gate. Initially, the people were baffled and no one dared to try. Shang Yang then raised the reward to 50 gold pieces. A bold man stepped forward, carried the pole to the north gate, and received the promised gold. From that day on, Shang Yang's authority was firmly established.
Once, Crown Prince Yingsi broke the law, and Shang Yang insisted that even the prince must face punishment. However, since the prince was the heir to the throne, Shang Yang could not directly punish him, so he arrested and penalized the prince's two tutors instead.
Due to his unwavering enforcement of the law and impartiality, Shang Yang made many enemies. One day, a man named Zhao Liang visited him and advised, "You should balance authority with mercy. Do not be too harsh on the noble ministers, or you will accumulate too many grudges." Zhao Liang concluded, "Your current situation is as precarious as morning dew—how can you expect lasting safety if you continue this way?"
Shang Yang disagreed. In 338 BCE, Duke Xiao died of illness, and Crown Prince Ying Si ascended the throne, posthumously known as King Huiwen. His two tutors immediately colluded with noble ministers to falsely accuse Shang Yang of rebellion, ultimately having him executed by chariot tearing.
Later, people used the idiom "as precarious as morning dew" to describe a dangerous situation that could easily collapse.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biography of Lord Shang"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "危若朝露" came to describe a dangerous situation that could easily collapse.