In the annals of Chinese history, the legacy of integrity and righteousness has been long cherished and revered. Tales of principled officials who stood firm in the face of temptation and upheld the virtues of ethical governance have been passed down through generations, serving as moral compasses for both the rulers and the ruled. These stories transcend the boundaries of time, offering us lessons on the importance of incorruptibility and the profound impact of honest leadership. As we delve into the historical narratives of three exemplary Chinese officials, we uncover the enduring principles of honor and virtue that continue to shape ideals of governance and public service.
3 upright Chinese officials
1. Gongyi Xiu
In the early Warring States period, the Prime Minister Gongyi Xiu of Lu was known for his fondness for fish — yet he steadfastly refused any gifts of fish. Upon his appointment as Prime Minister, relatives and even strangers tried to present him with fish, but Gongyi Xiu declined them all without exception.
One of his students, upon hearing that he had become Prime Minister, bought some fresh fish to congratulate him. As usual, Gong Yixiu refused to accept the gift. The student was puzzled and asked: “Teacher, you have always enjoyed eating fish; why do you refuse to accept them now?” Gong Yixiu replied: “People send me fish because they know I like them. As the Prime Minister and head of all ministers, I must set an example of frugality and integrity. Thus, although I desire fish, I dare not accept any from others.”
The student persisted: “My gift is a token of the student-teacher bond, with no ulterior motives. Please make an exception this once.”
Gong Yixiu shook his head resolutely and said: “An official must not be greedy. Accepting gifts or bribes corrupts the administration and tarnishes the integrity of government service. Now that I am Prime Minister, I can afford fish with my salary. If I were to lose my position due to corruption, I would not have the means to buy fish, nor would anyone send them to me. You are my student. If you love me as your teacher, you should love me for my virtue!”
The student, finally convinced, departed with the fish. Gong Yixiu was an official who was dedicated to his duties and governed with virtue. He set a standard for all officials to follow, encouraging them to avoid competing with the common people for profits or accepting even the smallest of bribes.
2. Su Qiong
During the Southern and Northern dynasties, Su Qiong was the Governor of Qinghe. He was in office for six years and was well-loved by the people. On one occasion, Zhao Ying, a Minister of the county who had retired to his hometown, once brought Qiong some watermelons from his garden. Su Qiong could not refuse, so he reluctantly accepted the watermelons. After escorting Zhao Ying out, Su Qiong immediately had the melons placed in a bamboo basket and hung from the beam of his house.
Upon hearing that the governor had accepted the watermelons, some people in the county brought seasonal fruits to make offerings. Su Qiong asked his family to take down the basket from the beam and show it to them. Seeing that the watermelons in the basket remained untouched, the gift-givers left in shame.
Su Qiong’s administration was marked by clarity and uprightness, never tainted by bribery. He was promoted to different posts and appointed as the person-in-charge to review failed cases. During his later years, Su Qiong became famous for vindicating many wrongful convictions.
3. Liu Tongxun
Liu Tongxun was a Prime Minister during the Qing Dynasty. He was well known for openly denouncing bribery in public. On one occasion, an official wanted to give him a substantial bribe, so he knocked on his door late at night. Liu Tongxun refused to see him.
Early the next morning, he summoned the official to the Council Hall. There, he publicly rebuked him, saying: “Wise men do not come knocking in the dead of night. If you have something to say, speak openly in front of everyone.” The official was so ashamed that he could not speak and in this way, all the officials were taught a valuable lesson.
Liu Tongxun’s career was defined by his impartial and honest conduct. His family had a few dozen acres of land and a cottage, and he served as an official for 50 years without increasing the size of his house. When he passed away, the Qianlong Emperor was very sad and he personally joined his memorial ceremony. Due to the narrow door of Liu Tongxun’s house, the Emperor had to leave his sedan chair and walk in on foot. When he returned to the palace, he thought of Liu Tongxun’s frugal life and started crying. Overcome with emotion, he told his court: “Liu Tongxun was a true Prime Minister.”
Translated by cecilia
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