In ancient China there was a saying "Whether rich or poor, do not be moved by self interest or gain, nor yield to power and force." During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279 AD), besides Wen Tianxiang (a scholar and general in the late stages of the Song Dynasty who fought against the invasion of the Mongolians), there was another man who was known to have the same courage and righteousness as Su Wu (an official in the Han Dynasty often regarded as the epitome of faithful service). His name was Hong Hao.
 
Hong Hao (1088 – 1155 AD), courtesy name Hong Guangbi, was born in Poyang (currently Boyang in Jiangxi Province). He was righteous and showed ambition from a young age. He once served as a diplomat to the country of Jin, but he was exiled for 15 years at Mount Leng and suffered tremendous hardships. He was, however, unmoved by adversity and loved his people selflessly. As a result, he was much well-respected by the people.
 
In 1115, Hong Hao placed in the top three of the national level imperial examination. Between 1119 to 1125 AD, Hong Hao was an official in Xiuzhou City. There was a disastrous flood that year and many people were left homeless. Hong Hao volunteered to take charge of the task of saving people from this disaster. He distributed food from the granary at low prices to the victims, for which the people were very grateful. At that time, rice destined for the capital from east of Zhejiang Province was passing through the city. Hong Hao asked the commander to keep the food for the hungry locals. The commander did not agree. Hong Hao said, "I am willing to exchange my life for ten thousand lives." People were deeply moved and called him "Buddha Hong." Later when the Xiuzhou army rebelled and pillaged recklessly, none of the rebels dared to pillage Hong Hao's house. They said that it was the home of “Buddha Hong.”
 
In 1129, Hong Hao was sent as a diplomat to the Jin nation. The Jin general, Wanyan Zonghan, tried to force Hong Hao against his will to be an official for Liu Yu, a traitor of the Song Dynasty. Hong Hao sternly refused, saying that he would rather die. Wanyan Zonghan was furious and wanted to kill him. Another official praised Hong Hao for having true loyalty and knelt in front of Wanyan Zonghan to beg him to spare Hong Hao's life. Hong Hao consequently survived, but was exiled to the Mount Leng area (currently north of Nong’an County in Jilin Province).
 
It was very cold in Mount Leng. Grass grew in April and snow began in August. Hong Hao lived in a cave. Once he didn’t receive any food for two years. In the hot summer he still wore thick clothes. He once used up all his wood during a snowstorm and had to burn horse dung to cook noodles. During that time, the Jin frequently sent people to try to persuade him to give in. But Hong Hao was never tempted. Later, after hearing about his reputation, the emperor of the Jin nation wanted to appoint him as a top official. Hong Hao once again refused strongly. Although he was in a very difficult situation, he still tried his best to get information for the Song Dynasty and help any Song royalty that happened to be in captivity in that area.
 
In 1142, Jin and Song negotiated peace. The Jin emperor gave amnesty to all prisoners on the occasion of the birth of his first son. As a result, Hong Hao could go home. When he saw the Song emperor, he asked to go back to his hometown to take care of his mother. The emperor said, "You have been so loyal to my nation. Your reputation surpasses Su Wu. How can you leave me?"
 
Hong Hao was exiled for 15 years. Among the 13 people who originally went on the diplomatic mission, only three came back alive. Hong Hao was the only one who was renowned for being loyal.
 
During his time in the Jin nation, although his situation was very difficult, Hong Hao was righteous and courageous. Even the Jin people admired him. They printed and circulated the poems written by Hong Hao. After he returned home, whenever Jin's messengers visited the Song Dynasty, they would always ask about Hong Hao’s situation.
 
Hong Hao once told Qin Hui (the official who framed and killed Yue Fei, the national hero in the Song Dynasty) that he cannot be satisfied with the sorry state of things for the Song Dynasty and must take back the land in the north. As a result, Qin Hui was jealous of him. Qin Hui repeatedly framed him and caused Hong Hao to be exiled again for over ten years. Hong Hao died in Nanxiong City at the age of 68. The day after he passed away, Qin Hui also died. When the emperor heard about the death of Hong Hao, he was sad and honored him with an advancement of his official rank by four grades. Hong Hao was also given the posthumous title “Zhongxuan” (proclamation of loyalty).
 
Because of his righteousness, Hong Hao has lived on in people's hearts throughout history. Meanwhile, those people who abandoned their conscience for personal gain and self-interest have always been shamed and reviled upon.
 
持节不变　无私爱民
 
甚么是“贫贱不能移，富贵不能淫，威武不能屈”呢？南宋朝廷中除了文天祥，还有一位被誉为与汉朝苏武不相上下的坚守气节的大丈夫，那就是洪皓。洪皓，字光弼，鄱阳（今江西波阳）人，自小便有气节和志向。他曾出使金国，结果在那被流放于冷山十五年，受尽艰辛，但其始终持节不变，而且为官无私爱民，受人景仰。
 
洪皓是政和五年进士及第。宣和年间，被任为秀州司录。当地发大水，百姓流离失所，洪皓向太守请求让自己担起拯救灾荒的任务，打开粮仓减价卖给灾民，百姓受益甚多。正逢从浙东运往都城的米纲从城下经过，洪皓请示太守要求留下粮食救济百姓，太守认为不可以，洪皓说：“我愿以自己一人的性命来换十万人的性命。”百姓都被他深深感动，称呼他为“洪佛子”。后来秀州军队叛乱，肆意抢掠，无一人幸免，但路过洪皓家门口不敢冒犯，说道：“这是洪佛子的家。”
 
高宗建炎三年，洪皓被派出使金国。金大将完颜宗翰强迫其任南宋叛臣刘豫的伪官，洪皓严词拒绝，宁死不屈。完颜宗翰大怒，想要杀他，旁边的官员赞叹洪皓是真正的忠臣，跪下为他求情，洪皓这才免于一死，但被流放到冷山一带（今吉林农安北面）。
 
冷山非常寒冷，四月草生，八月就开始下雪。洪皓住在山洞里，有时两年都得不到食物，盛夏时仍穿著粗布衣服。曾经遭遇大雪，柴火烧完，只能用马粪燃火煨面来吃。在此期间，金人经常来劝降，洪皓始终不为所动。后来金主听说他的声名，想任他为翰林直学士，洪皓极力推辞不受。虽然身处危困之地，但他仍竭尽全力帮助大宋朝廷探听消息，以及救济帮助流落至此的宋室贵家子弟。
 
绍兴十二年（1142年），金与宋议和，金主因生子而大赦天下，洪皓得以南归。在内殿见到皇帝后，他极力请示回家乡奉养母亲，皇帝说：“您忠贯日月，志不忘君，即使苏武也比不过你，怎可舍我而去呢！”
 
洪皓从出使到回国，在金国流放了十五年之久。一起去的十三人中，只有洪皓、张邵、朱弁得以活著回来，而以忠义闻名天下的，只有洪皓一人。
 
洪皓在金国很长时间，处境恶劣危险，但他坚守气节，连金人都非常敬佩，他所写的诗文，金人都争著传诵刻版印刷。洪皓回国后，金的使者来了，一定会询问洪皓现在做甚么官，住在哪里。
 
洪皓后来在论事中对秦桧说不可苟安钱塘，结果被秦桧所嫉恨，屡次以谗言陷害，致使其多次被贬，在外流离辗转任职十多年，最后在南雄州病逝，终年六十八岁。他死后一天，秦桧也死去。皇帝听说洪皓去世，很是叹惜，赠其敷文阁直学士，赠官四级，谥号“忠宣”。
 
洪皓因为持节不变而彪炳青史，万世流芳。那些为了私人名利而弃义丧节，陷害忠良的奸邪之辈，终究一定会被钉上历史的耻辱柱，受万人唾骂。