There are many stories about county officials in ancient times. Among them, Hai Rui was a famous county official during the Ming Dynasty. Stories about Hai Rui's appointment as county official include: Hai Rui's back was thin, Hai Rui was dismissed from office, etc.
1. Hai Rui has a slim back: During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Hai Rui served as the magistrate of Chun'an County and was not afraid of the powerful. At that time, the Duke Zhang Zhibo was ordered to inspect various provinces. His trusted official Zhang Biao came to the county government and demanded a loan of money. Hai Rui refused, but was kicked out by Hai Rui with a stick.
Zhang Zhibo was furious after hearing the report and went to Chun'an to question Hai Rui. Hai Rui counterattacked Zhang and accused him of corruption and perversion of the law. Zhang Zhibo was greatly embarrassed and wanted to make things difficult for Hai Rui before leaving. Hai Rui sent 400 trackers to see him off. It was the busy farming season, and Hai Rui did not want to disturb the people, so he personally led the government officials to carry out the task. Zhang Zhibo left in embarrassment for fear of causing public outrage.
2. Hai Rui was dismissed from office: Xu Ying, the third son of Xu Jie, occupied the people's fields and the village girl Zhao Xiaolan. Xiaolan's mother, Hong Alan, complained, and Wang Mingyou, the magistrate of Huating County, took bribes and killed Xiaolan's grandfather with a cane.
Yingtian Governor Hai Rui went on a visit incognito. He met Hong Alan on the road and found out the truth. He sentenced Xu Ying and Wang Mingyou to death and ordered them to withdraw from their fields. Xu Jie bribed eunuchs and dignitaries in an attempt to remove Hai Rui and overturn the verdict. Hai Rui saw through the treacherous plot and executed the two offenders decisively. Then he handed over the seal and resigned from office and returned home.
Famous county officials in ancient times
1. Ximen Bao: A native of Wei during the Warring States Period, he once served as the county magistrate of Yecheng. During his tenure, he got rid of superstition, built water conservancy projects, and got rid of the bad habit of "marrying a wife for Hebo", making Yecheng a prosperous place. His people-oriented thinking and innovative spirit are admired by future generations.
2. Huang Tingjian: a famous writer and calligrapher in the Northern Song Dynasty. He once served as the magistrate of Taihe County, Jizhou. During his tenure in Taihe County, he established schools, built water conservancy projects, and promoted agricultural technology, and was deeply loved by the people. He is known as "the master of literature and a model of filial piety and integrity".
3. Bao Zheng: A famous upright official in the Northern Song Dynasty. He once served as the magistrate of Tianchang County and the magistrate of Duanzhou. He is honest, upright, selfless, and dares to redress injustices for the people. He is known as "Bao Qingtian".
4. Yu Chenglong: A famous upright official in the Qing Dynasty. He once served as the magistrate of Luocheng County and the magistrate of Hezhou. During his tenure, he was honest and self-responsible, diligent in administration, caring for the people, promoting education, and building water conservancy projects, and was deeply loved by the people. He is also known as "the most honest official in the world".
Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Hai Rui