Ancient Stories of Unselfishness and Righteousness
 
In his book Virtuous Stories, Li Yuangang (960 – 1279 AD) from the Song Dynasty recorded many historical stories of virtuous people. Here are three of them.
 
1. Zhao Bian Did Not Put His Personal Interests before the Public Interest
 
During the Zhihe Period of the Song Dynasty (1054 – 1056 AD), Fan Jingren was appointed the Remonstrance Official. His responsibility was to offer advice to the Emperor. Zhao Bian was appointed to the Censorate, a supervisory agency in ancient China that monitored government officials. They once had a serious conflict over a government issue, and Wang Anshi noticed it.
 
Later, Wang Anshi became the Prime Minister during the Xining Period (1068 – 1077 AD). He didn't like Fan Jingren and often bad mouthed Fan in front of the Emperor. One day he told the Emperor, "You may find out more about Fan’s character from Zhao Bian."
 
After some time, the Emperor asked Zhao Bian, "Tell me what you think about Fan Jingren." Zhao replied, "Fan is a loyal official. He is not a flatterer or underhanded."
 
The Emperor then asked, "Why do you say that?" Zhao replied, "In 1056, Emperor Renzong was in poor health. Fan was the first to suggest to Emperor Renzong that he appoint his successor so as to stabilize the state. Wasn't that a loyal act?"
 
The Emperor agreed.
 
As Zhao was about to leave the imperial court, Wang Anshi asked him, "Don’t you once have a conflict with Fan?"
 
Zhao replied, "Whatever I say is in the public interest. I would not dare put my personal interests before the public interest."
 
2. Yang Xie Did Not Mix Public Affairs with Personal Issues
 
Minister Yang Xie (980 – 1048 AD) was appointed to direct the Institute of Official Examinations. Li Yuanhao (1003 – 1048 AD, who later became Emperor Jingzong of Western Xia) wanted to seek a peace agreement with the Song Dynasty rather than become a vassal to it.
 
Yang Xie suggested to the Emperor, "We have sent troops to fight with them every year. Now the state is quite financially stressed. Why don't we write to him, accept his request, and find ways to eliminate him later?"
 
Censorates Ouyang Xiu and Cai Xiang each submitted a report recommending that Yang be impeached. They criticized Yang, a high-ranking official, for failing to find the means to suppress the enemy and, instead, supporting Li Yuanhao's request to not accept vassalship. They suggested that Yang be executed for this "wrongdoing."
 
Yang Xie was very regretful and asked to be demoted and sent to Yuezhou, a remote town, as a local official. On his way to Yuezhou, his appointment was changed to be a local official in Hangzhou, a much larger region. At that time, Cai Xiang also happened to arrive in Hangzhou to welcome his parents. Cai didn't return to the court on time, because he went sightseeing for pleasure.
 
Someone suggested to Yang Xie, "Cai Xiang once recommended your execution Now he has failed to act properly and is deceiving the Emperor. Why don't you report him to the Emperor?"
 
Yang answered, "Cai Xiang attacked me over a public issue. He did so in an open and fair manner. How could I seek revenge by exposing his private affairs?"
 
3. Wei Renpu Did Not Abuse His Power for Personal Revenge
 
Prime Minister Wei Renpu (911 – 969 AD) was once attacked by Jia Yanhui with slanderous rumors and was almost discharged.
 
Later, Wei led an army into battle and was authorized to kill. Someone brought Jia Yanhui to him, saying, "Now you have the power to kill him."
 
Wei replied, "I cannot abuse my power in battle to take personal revenge."
 
Everyone admired him as an honest elder statesman.
 
至公至正，不以私害公
 
宋代的李元纲，在他的《厚德录》中，记述了不少美德史实，现选介三则如下：
 
一、赵汴不敢以私害公
 
宋代至和年间，范景仁当谏官，赵汴为御史，他们两人，在议论一件公事上，发生争执，有了矛盾。此事，王安石看在眼里。
 
到了熙宁年间，王安石执政。王安石内心怨恨范景仁，多次在皇上面前说范景仁的坏话，有一天他对皇上说：“只要一问赵汴，就知道范景仁的为人。”
 
过了一些时日，皇上便问赵汴：“你讲讲，范景仁的为人怎么样？”赵汴回答说：“范景仁是个忠臣，不是谄媚阴险之徒。”
 
皇上问他：“你怎么知道范景仁是忠臣？”赵汴回答说：“嘉佑初年，仁宗身体不好。范景仁首先请求立皇嗣，以安社稷。难道这不是忠吗？”
 
皇上觉得赵汴讲的话很有道理。
 
赵汴退朝出来以后，王安石问赵汴：“你不是和范景仁有矛盾吗？……”
 
赵汴说：“讲话得出以公心，我不敢以私害公！”
 
二、杨偕公私不混
 
侍郎杨偕主持审官院的工作时，西夏元昊请和而不称臣。杨偕对皇上说：“我朝连年出师，国家财力紧张。不如去封信表示同意，慢慢地想办法消灭他。”
 
谏官欧阳修、蔡襄分别上奏章弹劾他，说杨偕的职务是从官，不考虑为国家讨贼，却支持元昊不称臣的请求，他的罪该杀。杨偕深感不安，要求去做越州知州，中途改为杭州知州。当时正好蔡襄来到杭州迎接双亲，却随便到街市上去游玩。
 
有人对杨偕说：“蔡襄以前说你该杀。他现在欺骗皇上，不干正事。为什么不把他的行为上告朝廷？”
 
杨偕说：“蔡襄当时是因公事攻击我，他是正大光明的说事。我现在怎么可以因为私事，而去报复他呢？”
 
三、魏仁浦不报私怨
 
宰相魏仁浦，曾经受到贾延徽的谗言攻击，几乎遭到撤职。
 
后来，魏仁浦带领军队出征，手握杀罚大权。有人把贾延徽捉来献给他，说：“你现在有权把他杀掉。”
 
魏仁浦说：“因为战争而报私怨，我不忍这么干。”
 
人们都很佩服他是一位忠厚长者。