興師動眾

From Wuzi:

夫發號布令而人樂聞；興師動眾，而人樂戰，交兵接刃而人樂死。此三者，人主之所恃也。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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夫发号布令而人乐闻；兴师动众，而人乐战，交兵接刃而人乐死。此三者，人主之所恃也。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: Wuzi], 5^th – 4^th century BCE

Fú fāhào bùlìng ér rén lè wén; xìngshī dòngzhòng, ér rén lè zhàn, jiāobīng jiērèn ér rén lè sǐ. Cǐ sān zhě, rénzhǔ zhī suǒ shì yě. [Pinyin]

To issue orders and commands which the troops delightedly obey, to raise the army and mobilize the people in such a way that men are disposed to fight, and when they cross swords, ready to face death, are the three matters in which the ruler of the people can place trust.

興師動眾

1. to mobilize a large number of people

• 勞師動眾／劳师动众 (láoshīdòngzhòng)