Keeping a promise exemplifies integrity and honesty

Editor's note: As cases of dishonesty rise, it seems the world's second-largest economy is facing a moral decline. But as a civilization with more than 3,000 years of history, honesty runs deep in the Chinese blood. We will carry a series of stories in coming weeks on how honesty shaped ancient China. This is the fourth part.

Han Xin was a military general who served Liu Bang (the first emperor of the Han Dynasty) during the Chu-Han Contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). In his early days, Han Xin's life was saved by an old woman who gave him food. Here's the story about him.

Han grew up destitute as his father died early. He was despised by those around him as he often relied on others for his meals.

However, he had a keen interest in military strategy and spent his time studying military treatises and practicing sword techniques.

Once, when he was suffering from hunger, and met a woman who provided him with food. He promised to repay her for her kindness after he achieved great success in life, but she said that wasn't necessary.

Several years later, after becoming the king of Chu, Han Xin returned to his hometown and found the woman who fed him. He took her to his palace and treated her like his birth mother.

This story is used to illustrate grateful people who keep their promise.