竹头木屑 — “A metaphor for discarded materials that can still be utilized”

Tao Kan, with the courtesy name Shixing, was a native of Poyang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, later relocating to Xunyang, Lujiang. He was the great-grandfather of the renowned literary figure Tao Yuanming. Having consistently served the Western Jin rulers loyally, he rose from a county clerk to the Governor of Jing and Jiang provinces, also commanding the military affairs of six other provinces, becoming one of the most powerful figures of his time. Despite over forty years of military career, he always maintained a frugal and diligent lifestyle, often encouraging his subordinates to cherish every resource, big or small, and contribute more to the country and its people.

When Tao Kan was young, his family was poor. After his father fell ill, the entire family relied on his mother's spinning and weaving for sustenance. His mother poured all her heart into raising him. At sixteen, he secured a minor position in the county, managing a fish pond. Soon after taking office, he brought home a jar of pickled fish for his mother, a popular food at the time. However, his mother was very angry, sealed the jar without eating, and reprimanded him, saying, "You bring me public property; this not only fails to make me happy but makes me worry for you!" His mother's words deeply shamed Tao Kan, and from then on, he never took anything from public resources again.

One year, during his tenure as Governor of Jing Province, there was a need to build a fleet of warships for military preparations. Tao Kan frequently visited the site to inspect and supervise, noticing a large amount of leftover bamboo stumps and wood chips scattered everywhere. He felt it was a great pity to waste them. Although these materials were generally considered refuse, Tao Kan instructed his men to register and collect them all. Others secretly laughed at his actions. Later, during a New Year's gathering, after a fresh snowfall and a clear sky, the ground in front of the hall was muddy and difficult to traverse. Tao Kan then ordered the stored wood chips to be spread on the ground. At this moment, the seemingly insignificant wood chips proved useful.

Another time, when the great general Huan Wen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was preparing to campaign against Shu, many boats needed to be built beforehand. The boat planks were sawn, but there was a shortage of bamboo pegs, making it impossible to assemble the hulls. Tao Kan then ordered the stored bamboo stumps to be brought out and sent to Huan Wen, where they were carved into bamboo pegs, allowing the boats to be assembled. Tao Kan not only advocated frugality but was also very displeased with those who showed no regard for wasting resources. Once, while visiting the outskirts, he saw a person holding a handful of unripe green rice stalks. He asked why, and the person replied it was nothing, just picked them casually. Tao Kan was furious and admonished him, "You don't grow crops yourself, yet you destroy others'!" He immediately arrested the person and gave him a stern lecture.

In 315 AD, Tao Kan led his troops to defeat Du Tao's anti-Jin forces and captured Changsha, achieving great prestige. However, the powerful official Wang Dun, out of suspicion, relieved him of his military command, and Tao Kan was demoted to Governor of Guangzhou. With fewer official duties, Tao Kan suddenly found himself idle. Yet, he did not indulge himself. Every morning, he would move a hundred bricks from outside his study to inside, and every evening move them back out, repeating this daily, often sweating profusely. No one knew his intention. Some were puzzled, even laughed at him, but he retorted sternly, "I am in my prime, and one day I will pacify the Central Plains and serve the country. Idleness will not only make me lazy but also weaken my body. How then can I shoulder important responsibilities?" People listened and were filled with reverence.