(Photo : Liu Meisong, a Chinese Poet)

A new book called "IOU" written by Liu Meisong, a Chinese Poet, became famous recently. The book recorded Liu Meisong's real experience of travelling around China with 222 IOUs instead of money. According to Liu Meisong, this 28,510-kilometer adventure tour enabled him to better understand the trust status of Chinese people. He believes that trust is rooted in everyone's hearts, suggesting a trust mechanism be established and improved in the future.

Like Us on Facebook

Inspired by a small incident

On a day in April, 2010, when driving on the highway and arriving at the toll station, he suddenly realized that he didn't bring any money with him. He managed to persuade the staff at the toll station that he would leave his business card and pay the toll station when he drove back afterwards.
The incident made Liu Meisong excited at the trust he built with the staff. "Considering this success, why don't I travel around China without money at all?" He immediately began to develop a travel plan.

Managed to issue 222 IOUs

At first, Liu Meisong was looking forward to arousing public attention to the establishment and supervision of credibility during the trip. However, he soon became depressed as he constantly encountered failures.  During the 28,510-kilometer trip, Liu Meisong often faced people's indifference, misunderstanding and distrust, which became the biggest difficulties for him to finish the trip.

Finally, Liu Meisong managed to finish the trip with 222 IOUs. "There were more than 200 people who trusted me," said Liu Meisong. On each IOU, he attached a copy of his ID on the back and his resume on the front. "All the information such as home address, telephone number and QQ account is real and correct. I gave people all the information." After issuing an IOU, Liu Meisong's wife would transfer money to the borrower through online banking within three days.

Suggest to establish a trust mechanism

"I think this kind of trust could be passed down. I feel those kind people are just like my relatives," said Liu Meisong during an interview. After he finished the trip, he sent every borrower who helped him a desk calendar in return. "I will try my best to keep in touch with them".

Liu Meisong believes that all the failures he encountered didn't result from the loss of trust in the society. "I didn't do this to prove the existence of trust. Trust doesn't need to be proved. It is rooted in our hearts," said Liu Meisong. He further suggested a trust mechanism be first established and improved by the society. Liu Meisong, born in Hubei, now lives in Shenzhen. In 2009, he joined China Writers Association.