马放南山 Horses Released to the South Mountain
Explanation
比喻天下太平，不再用兵。也指不思进取，思想麻痹。
It is a metaphor for a peaceful and prosperous world without war. It can also mean that one does not think about progress and is complacent.
Origin Story
话说春秋战国时期，一位英明的君主励精图治，勤政爱民，使国家日益强盛。经过多年的休养生息，百姓安居乐业，国库充盈，军队也得以裁撤。有一天，这位君主来到郊外，看着漫山遍野的牛羊，欣慰地笑了。他下令将战马全部放归南山，让它们自由自在地生活，象征着国家从此进入永久和平的时代。从此，这片土地上再也没有战争的阴影，百姓们过上了幸福快乐的生活，这便是“马放南山”的由来。
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, a wise monarch governed with diligence, loved the people, and led the nation to greater prosperity. After years of recuperation, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the treasury was full, and the army could be disbanded. One day, the monarch visited the countryside and looked upon the vast herds of cattle and sheep with satisfaction. He ordered all the warhorses released to graze freely on the southern mountains, symbolizing an era of lasting peace. From that day on, war's shadow never again fell upon the land, and the people lived in peace and happiness. This is the origin of the idiom "Ma Fang Nan Shan (Horses Released to the South Mountain)".
Usage
一般用于形容天下太平，社会安定，也可用作反面教材，形容人思想麻痹，不思进取。
It is usually used to describe a peaceful and stable society, but it can also be used as a negative example to describe people who are complacent and do not seek improvement.
Examples
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太平盛世，百姓安居乐业，真是马放南山的好景象！
taiping shengshi,baixing anjuleye,zhen shi mafangnanshan de haojingxiang!
In a peaceful and prosperous world, the people live and work in peace and contentment. What a good scene of horses being released to the south mountain!
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如今国家强盛，国泰民安，真是马放南山的好时代！
rujin guojia qiangsheng,guotaimin'an,zhen shi mafangnanshan de hao shi dai
Nowadays, our country is strong and peaceful and truly a good era of 'Horses released to the South Mountain'!