Yi Yi Gu Xing

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In the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 AD), there was a man named Zhao Yu. He was previously an official serving Zhou Yafu, generalcommander of the Han Dynasty at his time. One day, Liu Che, who was also called Emperor Wu of Han, saw Zhao Yu’s article, which was written with sharp and intelligent words, as well as abundant wisdom. The emperor thought that none of the government officials could excel Zhao Yu in writing.

Thus Emperor Wu thought highly of Zhao Yu and promoted him to the supervisor, mainly responsible for detecting and reporting malpractices of government officials. Then he was promoted to the Co-Minister of Legislation, being was given the responsibility to formulate national laws with Zhang Tang, the other Co-Minister of Legislation.

In order to restrict functional officials with strict laws, they amended and supplemented previous laws and regulations following the imperial orders of Emperor Wu.

At that time, many government officials hoped that Zhao Yu could hold his hand to reduce the strictness of laws and regulations. They invited Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang to dinners frequently. But Zhao Yu always turned down these invitations. When this happened a few more times, many people thought Zhao Yu was an arrogant person holding a high position in the court.

A while later, Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang decided to formulate the laws of punishing “those informed officials who do not disclose his colleagues’ crimes” and “those officials whose underlings committed to illegal practices” after thorough and careful consideration and research. These new rules aimed at preventing induty officials from malpractices and abuse of their rights.

When the news came out, government officials in different places complained about the strictness of the new rules. They entrusted nobles who were close to Zhao Yu to persuade him not to formulate such strict rules.

The nobles took heavy gifts to Zhao Yu. However, Zhao Yu talked with them about everything but the new rules. He also turned a deaf ear on the nobles’ hints of modifying these rules. After a few moments’ vainly attempt, the nobles found it hard to persuade Zhao Yu. So they rose to leave. But before their departure, Zhao Yu insisted that they should take back the gifts they brought.

After this, people knew that Zhao Yu was a decent and upright man. Someone asked him whether he minded how others thought of him or not, to which he answered: “I rejected the pleas of my friends and guests like this in order to make me able to do things as my own independent will and determination without being influenced by others.”