Li Ruogu was a man of the Song Dynasty born into a prestigious scholarly family with a lineage of government officials. Tragically, he lost his parents at a young age and had to live under the care of relatives. Li Ruogu demonstrated remarkable resilience and a strong work ethic despite these hardships. His dedication to learning earned him one of the highest honors in the imperial civil service exams, leading to his appointment as the county constable of Changsha.
Tackling corruption and easing burdens
During his tenure, the provincial government undertook the construction of military barracks and required the local populace to donate timber. However, corrupt officials exploited this process by falsely deeming materials unfit for use unless bribes were paid, leaving the people in distress.
Li Ruogu identified the issue and implemented an efficient solution. He organized the collection of timber, categorizing it by length and thickness, and personally ensured it was delivered directly to the provincial office. He eliminated unnecessary hardship for the people by cutting out the corrupt middlemen.
Reforming unfair taxation policies
Later, Li Ruogu was promoted to a senior judicial role and became the magistrate of Yixing County, a region known for its tea production. At the time, farmers paid their taxes in tea leaves, but the government confiscated any leaves deemed substandard without compensation, creating significant financial strain on tea farmers.
Li Ruogu swiftly abolished this exploitative practice. Instead of confiscating subpar tea, he returned it to the farmers, allowing them to sell it independently and submit higher-quality tea for tax purposes. This reform earned him the respect and gratitude of the local population.
Restoring law and order in Changsha
When appointed as the governor of Tanzhou (modern-day Changsha, Hunan), Li Ruogu faced a serious public safety issue. Escaped criminals who had previously been exiled for violent crimes were terrorizing the region, committing brutal acts of robbery and murder. Li conducted a covert investigation, capturing the offenders and linking them to multiple unsolved murder cases. After being given fair trials, he sentenced them to death and had them publicly executed in the marketplace to serve as a warning. This decisive action restored peace and security in the area.
A brilliant solution to an age-old problem
In Goubi County, Li Ruogu encountered an irrigation challenge that had plagued the region for nearly a millennium. A canal built during the Spring and Autumn period by the Chu official Sun Shuao provided water for thousands of acres of farmland. However, farmers planted crops on the canal’s dry banks and even in its center during droughts. When the rainy season arrived, they secretly broke the embankments to protect their crops, causing devastating floods.
Previous officials had repeatedly relied on military forces to repair the breaches, a costly and unsustainable approach. Li, however, took a radically different path. He issued a simple notice stating that any future breaches would no longer be repaired by soldiers, but by the farmers responsible for causing the damage.
This policy had an immediate impact. Recognizing that the cost of repairs far outweighed the benefits of planting crops in the canal, farmers stopped encroaching on the waterway. The canal remained intact, and flooding ceased, resolving a problem that had troubled the region for centuries.
Wisdom and accountability in leadership
Li Ruogu’s approach to governance was grounded in fairness, efficiency, and the ability to align personal interests with the greater good. By empowering the people to take responsibility for their actions and addressing systemic corruption, he demonstrated how pragmatic solutions can resolve even the most entrenched problems. His legacy offers timeless lessons in leadership, justice, and community care.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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