Zhao Bian, a native of Xi'an in Quzhou during the Song Dynasty, passed the imperial examinations and served as a military advisor before being recommended by the imperial scholar Zeng Gongliang and promoted to the position of imperial censor.
Zhao Bian was a man of unwavering integrity. When exposing official misconduct, he feared neither the powerful nor the emperor's favorites. He boldly submitted a memorial stating: "Chancellor Chen Zhenzhong is unlearned and incompetent, having made too many errors in state affairs; Privy Councilor Wang Deyong and Hanlin Academician Li Shu lack both virtue and talent, unfit for their posts; and Commissioner Wang Gongchen is lawless and corrupt—all should be dismissed." Seeing Zhao Bian's arguments were well-founded, the emperor adopted his advice. For a time, the capital's citizens hailed him as the "Iron-Faced Censor," loyal ministers and good generals all performed their duties diligently, and official conduct was greatly rectified.
Later, the imperial court sent Zhao Bian to serve as governor of Muzhou, a remote city far from the capital, and soon reassigned him to Yizhou, a distant border region where "the sky is high and the emperor is far away," making it hard for the court to intervene. Officials there embezzled public funds and even exchanged official salaries as gifts, while the people struggled in hardship and unrest grew. Zhao Bian led by example, fiercely cracking down on corruption, comforting the common folk, and transforming the impoverished towns and counties overnight. The delighted commoners cheered, while the corrupt officials trembled in submission.
Later, Zhao Bian was promoted to Dragon Diagram Academy Scholar and put in charge of Chengdu. He abandoned his previous strict management style and adopted a lenient approach. When a crowd gathered to cause trouble, Zhao Bian investigated on the spot and found it was merely due to excessive drinking and eating. He punished only the ringleaders and released the rest. The people of Sichuan were overjoyed. Emperor Yingzong of the Song Dynasty once remarked, "With Zhao Bian in Chengdu, the city has become well-governed and harmonious. He has employed the methods of a peaceful revival!"
When Emperor Shenzong of Song ascended the throne, he recalled Zhao Bian to the capital to oversee the Censorate, resuming his former duties. Emperor Shenzong once said to Zhao Bian, "I hear that when you served in Sichuan, you brought only a zither and a crane, governing with integrity—this is truly commendable!"
Zhao Bian, deeply moved by the emperor's trust, would offer suggestions on any unfinished court business, prompting the emperor to issue a personal decree praising his dedication.
"A Single Lute and a Crane" originally meant traveling light, later used to describe an incorruptible official.
Source: *History of Song*, "Biography of Zhao Bian"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "一琴一鹤" came to describe how an incorruptible official travels light.