During the reign of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun’an County in Zhejiang Province, was renowned for his unwavering commitment to justice and his refusal to yield to the rich and powerful. The local people honored him with the nickname “Hai Qingtian,” likening him to Bao Qingtian, the legendary upright official from the Song Dynasty. This narrative recounts three of his most notable cases, showcasing his courage in combating corruption and injustice.
Hai Rui confronts abuse of power
In his first major confrontation, Hai Rui dealt with the son of his superior, Hu Zongxian, who was deeply entangled with the notorious Yan Song, a minister known for his treachery. Leveraging his father’s influence, Hu’s son and his entourage traveled the region, exploiting their power to extract bribes and indulge in lavish hospitality at the expense of the local populace.
When this corrupt entourage passed through Chun’an County, Hai Rui, already incensed by their reputation, directed that they be provided only with basic meals. Outraged by the modest hospitality, Hu’s son responded violently, assaulting the innkeeper and causing a scene. Hai Rui quickly intervened with a strategic countermeasure, declaring publicly: “Sir Hu Zongxian is a clean magistrate, known for his integrity. He has always instructed that officials passing through should be received with modesty and without extravagance. Therefore, this dandy, who is lavish and arrogant, must surely be a malefactor. How dare he impersonate Sir Hu Zongxian’s son and deceive our county! Seize them all.”
By framing the extravagant demands as uncharacteristic of the true Hu Zongxian, Hai Rui cleverly exposed the group’s misconduct as that of impostors. He ordered the arrest of Hu’s son and his followers, administered a severe punishment, and confiscated their ill-gotten gains — over a thousand taels of silver from bribes — which he turned over to the state treasury.
After securing justice, Hai Rui composed a letter to Hu Zongxian, detailing the events and the measures taken. He reported that an impostor claiming to be Hu’s son had been apprehended for attempting to tarnish his reputation through fraudulent and extravagant demands. In doing so, Hai Rui cleverly left Hu Zongxian in a position where he could not object without questioning the narrative that protected his own reputation as a just official. This strategic communication ensured that Hai Rui not only addressed the corruption at hand, but also safeguarded his superior’s honor in a manner that left no room for reproach.
Outsmarting an extortionist
The second episode involved Yan Maoqing, the imperial censor and godson of the notorious Yan Song. Known for his even more vicious extortion methods, Yan Maoqing paradoxically promoted a facade of valuing simplicity and disliking flattery in official receptions.
When Hai Rui learned of Yan Maoqing’s impending visit to Chun’an County, he devised a shrewd strategy to address the censor’s contradictory behavior.
In a preemptive move, Hai Rui penned a tactful letter to Yan, carefully articulating the dilemma his visit presented:
“Sir, since it is well known that you advocate for simplicity, we want to keep the reception for you simple, but we have also heard that all the counties receive you with big banquets and wine. If we follow your advice and keep the reception simple, we are afraid that you may feel neglected; if we follow the scale of reception of the other counties, we are afraid that you will criticize us for being extravagant and wasteful. I would like to ask what this county should do.”
After reading the letter, Yan Maoqing gritted his teeth in frustration. He was well aware of Hai Rui’s reputation as a selfless and honest official, and this insight into his character instilled a sense of apprehension. Recognizing the astuteness of Hai Rui’s challenge and fearing being publicly exposed for his hypocrisy, Yan decided at the last minute to alter his route. Instead of visiting Chun’an County, he directed his inspection tour to other counties where he could continue his extortion unchecked. Thus, by the sharp wits of their magistrate, Chun’an County narrowly avoided becoming yet another victim of Yan’s exploitative practices.
Standing against imperial negligence
In a bold move against mediocrity at the highest levels, Hai Rui addressed Emperor Shizong directly, criticizing his negligence and the harmful freedom he afforded to Yan Song. Hai Rui’s memorial to the emperor was blunt, detailing the faults of Shizong’s reign and the misdeeds of Yan Song. Prepared for the worst, he had already made arrangements for his death, including purchasing a coffin and bidding farewell to his family. His forthrightness led to his imprisonment; however, his release followed soon after Emperor Shizong’s death, leading to his reinstatement and subsequent promotions within the government.
Throughout his career, Hai Rui exemplified moral fortitude, repeatedly standing against evil and corruption. His actions, though perilous, were driven by profound benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and bravery, earning him a posthumous reputation as a paragon of loyalty and honesty.
Translated by Cecilia
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