两袖清风 — “To be an incorruptible official, accepting no bribes”

Throughout history, upright officials who refused bribes often described themselves as "两袖清风" (liǎng xiù qīng fēng), meaning "two sleeves full of fresh breeze." The origin of this idiom is quite interesting.

During the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty, the powerful eunuch Wang Zhen abused his authority for personal gain. Whenever there was a court assembly, officials from various regions would present him with jewels and silver to curry favor.

However, Yu Qian, the Grand Coordinator, always arrived in the capital for his reports without any gifts. His colleagues advised him, "Even if you don't offer gold or silver to seek powerful connections, you should at least bring some famous local specialties like incense, mushrooms, or handkerchiefs as a gesture of goodwill!" Yu Qian smiled, raised his sleeves, and wittily replied, "I carry nothing but the fresh breeze in my sleeves!" This was his way of ridiculing the sycophantic and corrupt officials. The idiom "两袖清风" has been passed down ever since.

He also penned a poem titled "Entering the Capital": "Silk handkerchiefs, mushrooms, and incense sticks, Originally for people's use, now a source of disaster; With two sleeves full of fresh breeze, I go to the emperor's court, To avoid people's gossip." In his poem, Yu Qian explains that these local products were meant for the common folk, but due to officials' levies and extortions, they had become a burden. He declared his stance: he would go to the capital empty-handed, with only the 'fresh breeze in his sleeves,' symbolizing his integrity. "闾阎" (lǘ yán) in the poem refers to ordinary people or the public.