(Minghui.org) Liang Yanguang was a governor of Qi Zhou between the time of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Cui Dynasty.
Qi Zhou was known for its simple and rustic customs. Therefore, Liang governed without much interference from the community. People lived a safe and sound life under his rule. His political achievement was voted the best in the country.
When he was transferred to be governor of Xiang Zhou, he continued with the same governing style and treated everyone and everything with compassion, just as he did in Qi Zhou.
Many of the residents of Xiang Zhou, however, were cunning and deceitful. They composed a ballad that made fun of Liang and his ability to govern Xiang Zhou. Local residents gave Liang a nickname and insulted him whenever possible.
The Emperor heard the ballad and instead of looking at the issue, he criticized Liang and removed him from his post.
After about a year, Liang was assigned to the governorship of Zhao Zhou. However, Liang had his eyes set on Xiang Zhou and asked the Emperor to reassign him back to that area because he wanted the people to change from their conniving ways. The Emperor granted his wish.
The local ruffians thought it to be hilarious that Liang voluntarily returned to Xiang Zhou. On arrival at his post, Liang began to expose the crimes and secrets of the local rogues. The information was accurate and could not be faulted. The local ruffians left and the residents of Xiang Zhou were in shock.
Liang did not retaliate for the local residents past misdeeds. Instead, he educated and changed them with compassion.
After the North Qi Dynasty perished, most of the educated citizens left and moved to the Shanhai Pass. Only lower society individuals remained, such as musicians, prostitutes and peddlers. Therefore, the local moral standard was low. People deceived each other and committed fraud.
Rumors and wrong accusations about officials flooded the area. Liang's goal was to end local corrupt practices. So, he promoted education, used his income to set up schools in each township, and hired scholars to run them.
Only teachings from the Sages were materials used in class and he evaluated every student personally.
During banquets, good students sat with officials, and those that fooled around that were quarrelsome and lazy were made to sit on straw mats in the middle of the courtyard.
This gave everyone the incentive to improve and local customs of Xiang Zhou changed for the better.
For example, there was a man named Jiao Tong, a drunkard who was impolite towards the elderly. Liang did not punish him but assigned him to go to the school and read stories about past Sages. Jiao Tong realized that his ways needed to change and he felt ashamed. He mended his ways and became a compassionate person.
The citizens and low ranking officials now dealt with people of good character and were very happy. Xiang Zhou was free from quarrels and lawsuits.