"Clear Wind in Both Sleeves: Upholding Integrity and Maintaining Personal Purity"
[Source] Wei Chu (Yuan Dynasty), poem "Sending Yang Jihai."
[Meaning] Sleeve: the sleeve of a garment. Having nothing in one's sleeves but clear wind. Originally described a person's elegant and carefree posture in the wind, later came to mean being so poor as to possess nothing. It is a metaphor for an official being honest and incorruptible.
[Historical Anecdote]
Yu Qian, style name Tingyi, was a renowned minister of the Ming Dynasty. Before being transferred to the capital, he served continuously as a local official. He was known for his integrity, imposing strict requirements on all subordinate officials and resolutely prohibiting bribery and embezzlement. He led by personal example.
During the Zhengtong reign, the eunuch Wang Zhen seized power, abusing his authority for personal gain, flaunting his power, and shamelessly accepting bribes. Whenever court assemblies were held, officials from various regions would present jewels and silver to curry favor with him. However, every time Yu Qian traveled to the capital to report on affairs, he brought no gifts whatsoever. His colleagues advised him: "Even if you won't offer gold or treasure or seek favor with the powerful, you should at least bring some famous local specialties, such as incense, mushrooms, or handkerchiefs, to show some goodwill! Otherwise, people will think poorly of you and might even cause you trouble." Yu Qian smiled carefreely, shook his two sleeves, and humorously replied, "I only bring the clear wind! I serve as an official for the sake of the nation and the people, not for any single individual. As long as I remain honest in office and perform my duties conscientiously, why should I worry about what others say?"
For this reason, he once composed a poem titled "Entering the Capital" to declare his resolve: "Silk handkerchiefs, mushrooms, and incense—meant for the people's use, yet turned into a scourge. With clear wind in both sleeves I go to court, sparing the common folk gossip and criticism." Silk handkerchiefs, mushrooms, and incense were all local products from the region where he served. In his poem, Yu Qian stated that these items were originally intended for the people's benefit, but because officials requisitioned and extorted them, they had instead become a disaster for the populace. Through this poem, he clearly expressed his stance: he would bring nothing to the capital except the clear wind in his sleeves to pay homage to the emperor.
[Growing Insight]
"Upholding integrity, with clear wind in both sleeves"—this is undoubtedly the finest appraisal of Yu Qian. This represents a kind of elegance, but more importantly, a matter of principle. Since ancient times, the officialdom has been like a vast dye vat; to maintain personal purity within it is already rare and precious. To preserve one's own integrity while also striving, single-handedly, to cleanse the murky waters of officialdom is even more difficult. Precisely because of this, Yu Qian became a model of incorruptibility, admired by the world. As young people, we should take Yu Qian as our role model from this moment on, strictly demanding of ourselves with a mindset that values virtue. We should practice "cautious solitude" (Shen Du), regarding integrity as a state of being, a form of cultivation, and a personal restraint. Even if we cannot achieve lasting fame in history, we should at least ensure that our conscience is clear.
Category