收买人心 win over hearts and minds
Explanation
用金钱、感情等手段笼络人心，使他们听从自己。
To win people over by using money, emotions, etc., making them obey you.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉丞相诸葛亮南征孟获，七擒七纵，最终以德服人，收买人心。孟获起初不服，屡战屡败，却又屡败屡起，诸葛亮看出孟获并非不智，而是被奸佞之徒所蛊惑。于是诸葛亮决定用计策收买孟获的心，以彻底平定南蛮。诸葛亮采取了七擒七纵之计，每次抓住孟获后，诸葛亮并未杀害孟获，而是耐心细致地开导他，为他分析利弊，让他明白投降的好处，以及继续抵抗的后果。诸葛亮还展现了自己的仁义，并对孟获的部下以恩相待，逐渐赢得了孟获部下的敬重。渐渐地，孟获被诸葛亮的诚意和实力所折服，真心实意地臣服了。南蛮彻底平定后，诸葛亮功成名就，他的收买人心之计也成为了后世传颂的经典案例。
During the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China, Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu Han, led a campaign to pacify the Southern Barbarians. He captured and released Meng Huo, their leader, seven times, demonstrating both wisdom and compassion. Through this strategy, he eventually won over Meng Huo's allegiance. Initially, Meng Huo fought relentlessly but lost each time. Zhuge Liang, recognizing Meng Huo's intelligence and the influence of manipulative advisors, decided against immediate execution. Instead, each capture followed by release allowed Meng Huo to witness Zhuge Liang's fairness, wisdom, and generous treatment of his people. Zhuge Liang also focused on improving the lives of the Southern Barbarians through agriculture and economic reforms, demonstrating that he aimed to rule justly. Witnessing Zhuge Liang's commitment to the well-being of his people, Meng Huo was convinced of his superior military and moral capabilities. The Southern Barbarians submitted peacefully to Shu Han, the success attributed to Zhuge Liang's shrewd understanding of human nature and masterful strategy of winning over hearts and minds. This is a classic example of using political and social tactics to achieve a military objective without widespread violence and destruction.
Usage
多用于贬义，指用金钱或感情等手段收买人心，为达到某种不正当目的。
Often used in a derogatory sense, referring to winning over people by using money or emotions to achieve some improper purpose.
Examples
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他通过各种手段收买人心，以达到自己的目的。
tā tōngguò gè zhǒng shǒuduàn shōumǎi rénxīn, yǐ dá dào zìjǐ de mùdì
He used various methods to win people over in order to achieve his goals.
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公司为了提升员工士气，采取了一系列收买人心的措施。
gōngsī wèile tíshēng yuángōng shìqì, cǎiqǔ le yī xìliè shōumǎi rénxīn de cuòshī
The company adopted a series of measures to win over the hearts of employees in order to boost their morale