During the East Han dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD), there was an honest official named Zhong Liyi. Zhong was very gentle, helpful, and accommodating. As a Prefecture Postal Superintendent in his younger years, many of his subordinates received his help and assistance. One year there was a great epidemic in the area. More than ten thousand people died and everyone was trying to escape by leaving the area. Only Zhong Liyi remained behind, personally taking care of the patients and getting them medicine. The heavens really bless those who perform good deeds and are virtuous. During the epidemic, even though Zhong Liyi was constantly facing the deadly disease, he never got ill.

Because of Zhong Liyi's outstanding conduct and unsurpassed integrity, he was soon recommended for the position of Xiaolian, another promotion for him. During the dead of winter one year, Zhong Liyi was ordered to escort some prisoners, who had been sentenced to hard labor, to the Henei District. Most of these prisoners wore very little clothing, and some were very sick and could hardly walk. When they passed the Hongnong area, Zhong Liyi ordered the local county government to make warm coats for these prisoners. When Emperor Guangwu learned this, he praised Zhong Liyi as a good and decent official. The Emperor commended his benevolent heart.

Later, Zhong Liyi ordered the shackles and other instruments of torture removed from these prisoners so that they could walk by themselves. In the end all of the prisoners reached the destination on time and there was no delay. Zhong Liyi held the position of Xiaolian in many districts, and he always treated people with compassion and sympathy. Many criminals were touched by his benevolence. One felon named Fang Guang was sentenced to prison. He got the news that his mother passed away due to illness while he was serving in prison. He was so grieved that he could not eat. Zhong Liyi heard the news and was very sympathetic. He permitted the prisoner to go home to take care of the funeral arrangements. Fang Guang came back to the prison by himself after he attended the funeral service.

After Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne (57 AD), Zhong Liyi was appointed to the high position of Shangshu. There was an official who was punished for corruption. Much of his confiscated personal possessions, including money and jewelry, were awarded by the Emperor to the other officials based on their positions and seniority. Zhong Liyi threw all the awarded jewelry on the ground and did not bow to express his gratification to the Emperor. The Emperor was bewildered and asked for the reason. Righteous and upright, Zhong Liyi replied, "I heard that Confucius would rather be thirsty than drink water from a spring named 'Thief's Well.' Zeng Shen would rather take a detour than travel on a street named 'Conquering the Mother,' because he disliked such disrespectful names. The valuables and jewelry were loot from corruption. How could I dare to accept them?" The Emperor gave his praise, saying, "Shangshu is very honest and upright." He ordered the palace treasurer to withdraw money from the treasury for Zhong Liyi as the award.

善良怜悯　正气清廉

东汉时期，有一位为官清廉的钟离意。钟离意非常善良，乐于帮助别人。他年轻时任郡督邮，部下很多都受到过他的帮助。有一年，当地发生大瘟疫，死了上万人，人们四处逃亡，只有钟离意一人留了下来，亲自照料慰问病人，并送给他们医药。上天真的眷顾积德行善的好人，在这大疫之年，钟离意虽与瘟疫近在咫尺，但依旧安然无恙。

因为钟离意的德行操守过人，所以不久他被举为孝廉，再次升迁。有一年寒冬腊月，钟离意接到命令负责押送服劳役的人到河内地区，但这些服劳役的人穿的非常单薄，有的因为病重已不能行走。在经过弘农时，钟离意让当地县令马上制作棉衣给这些服劳役的人穿上。光武帝得知此事后，说钟离意真是位好官，赞赏他有仁爱之心。

钟离意后来又把这些服劳役之人的刑具卸了下来，让这些人自己走路，结果这些人都按指定日期到了目的地，没有任何耽误。钟离意后来担任多个地方的县令，他待人总是心怀宽容和怜悯之心，很多犯过罪的人都被他所感化。有一个叫防广的因犯罪而入狱，在狱中听说母亲病死了，伤心哭泣而不吃东西。钟离意知道后非常可怜他，便允许他回家去埋葬母亲。防广埋葬母亲后，自己回到了狱中。

显宗即位后，钟离意被征召为尚书。当时，有个官员因贪污金钱珠宝而被查处，皇帝命令把那些收缴的钱财珠宝按等级赏赐给群臣。钟离意分到了一些珠宝，但他把珠宝全部扔在了地上，而且不拜谢皇帝的赏赐。皇帝非常奇怪，问他原因。一身正气的钟离意道：“我听说孔子忍渴都不喝名叫“盗泉”的泉水；曾参因为街道叫“胜母”而调转车头，这是因为不喜欢这些不好的名称。这是贪污来的珠宝，我实在不敢拜受。”皇帝赞叹道：“尚书真是清廉啊！”改用朝廷库房的钱赏赐给了钟离意。