During the Warring States period, the state of Zhao had a renowned general named Zhao She, who was exceptionally skilled in military strategy.
In his youth, Zhao She served as a civil official collecting land taxes. Each autumn, his men would go out to gather rents. At that time, Lord Pingyuan, the Prime Minister of Zhao, had many retainers and vast estates. These retainers, relying on their master's power, flouted the law and refused to pay taxes.
When Zhao She learned of this, he was furious and, following the law, ordered the execution of nine powerful stewards serving under Lord Pingyuan.
When Lord Pingyuan learned of this, he flew into a rage and wanted to execute Zhao She to avenge his men. Zhao She, undaunted, reasoned with him directly: "You are a noble son of Zhao, but if you allow your men to defy the law and refuse to pay land taxes, the nation's laws will crumble, and the state will weaken. A weakened Zhao will invite invasion from other states. If Zhao is conquered, how can you hope to keep your wealth and status?"
Lord Pingyuan listened, lost in thought. Zhao She continued, "With your status and wealth, if you could uphold the law and set an example, then all ranks would be fair. With fairness throughout, the state would grow strong. If the state is strong, you, as a noble relative, what loss could you possibly suffer? Would the world look down on you?"
Moved by Zhao She's integrity, Lord Pingyuan recognized him as a man of impartial judgment and recommended him to the King of Zhao. The king appointed Zhao She to oversee the nation's tax collection. Living up to expectations, Zhao She's reforms dramatically increased state revenue while gradually enriching the common people.
Later, people used the idiom "Uphold Justice and Abide by the Law" to refer to acting in the public interest and following the legal system established by the state.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biographies of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "奉公守法" came to describe acting in the public interest and following the legal system established by the state.