Zheng Banqiao (1693-1765) was one of the "Eight Monsters of Yangzhou" during the Qing Dynasty. While serving as a county official in Weixian, Shandong, his son, Xiaobao, lived with his brother, Zheng Mo, in the countryside.
When Xiaobao was six and started school, Zheng Banqiao wrote a special letter to his brother to guide his son's education, stating: "I had a son at fifty-two; how could I not love him! But loving him must follow the right principles; to love by principles is true love, while to love without them is mere indulgence."
What were these "principles"? He believed: "Passing exams and becoming an official are small matters; the most important thing is to understand morality and become a good person."
As a scholar himself, Zheng Banqiao did not despise learning; rather, he despised those who studied solely for the purpose of securing official positions.
He placed the highest importance on his son's character. He told his brother: "While I am away, you must supervise him. Cultivate his kindness and loyalty, and curb any cruelty. Do not indulge him simply because he is my son."
He advocated for equality between his children and the children of his servants. He said: "The children of servants are fellow human beings under heaven and should be treated with equal care; my son must not bully them. All food and snacks should be shared so that everyone can rejoice. If my son eats fine food while the servants' children stand at a distance, unable to taste even a crumb, it would be heartbreaking for their parents to see and be forced to leave."
To teach Xiaobao "the principles of being a good person" and to "empathize with farmers," Zheng Banqiao also transcribed four catchy five-character quatrains for him to recite:
Later, Zheng Banqiao brought Xiaobao to live with him, constantly teaching him to appreciate the hardships of life and to empathize with the poor. Under his strict guidance and personal example, Xiaobao progressed rapidly. During a famine in Weixian, Zheng Banqiao's household was very poor. One day, Xiaobao cried out in hunger, and his mother gave him a corn bun that Zheng Banqiao had saved from his own lunch. As Xiaobao was eating happily, he noticed a barefoot, starving girl watching him. He immediately shared half of his bun with her. Upon learning of this, Zheng Banqiao said proudly, "My child, you did the right thing. I am proud of you."
Philosophy: In life, happiness is not the ultimate goal; character is the true standard.
