Zhao Gui, a man from Luoyang during the Sui Dynasty, was known for his upright character, simple lifestyle, and clean governance, earning him a stellar reputation among the people.
After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, Zhao Gui was appointed as a high-ranking assistant governor in Qizhou, a position that came with the privilege of riding in his own carriage during inspections. Despite his authority, Zhao Gui never abused his power, strictly governing both his official duties and his family's daily life with restraint.
During the Sui Dynasty, the official Zhao Gui lived with his family in a courtyard where a neighbor's mulberry tree grew lush branches that stretched into his yard. One early summer, dark ripe mulberries fell onto the stone ground, and his delighted children grabbed small baskets to pick them up. Zhao Gui stopped them, saying, "I'm not doing this for fame or to show off. My principle is never to infringe on others' rights. These mulberries belong to our neighbor, not a gift from them, so we have no reason to enjoy them. Let this be a lesson to you." Influenced by his words, the children learned self-restraint and never took even a hair's worth from others. Source: *History of the Northern Dynasties*, "Biography of Zhao Gui"
Once, Zhao Gui was ordered to take up a new post and raced day and night without rest. Along the way, his attendant's horse strayed into a field and trampled a farmer's crops. Zhao Gui immediately halted the journey, waited until dawn, found the owner of the crops, compensated the farmer for the loss, and only then continued on his way.
When local officials heard of this, they were deeply moved and voluntarily took him as their model, transforming the prevailing atmosphere.
During his four years governing Qizhou, Zhao Gui ranked first in performance evaluations every year. Emperor Wen of Sui, rewarding outstanding officials, bestowed upon him 300 bolts of silk and 300 shi of grain, summoning him back to court. Hearing of his departure, the people of Qizhou came in droves to see him off, young and old alike. An elderly man, holding a cup of water with trembling hands and tears in his eyes, said, "In your four years as magistrate, you have been incorruptible and never taken anything from us. So we dare not offer you wine. Your governance is as clear as this water—please allow us to present this cup of water as a farewell gift." Zhao Gui's eyes reddened as he took the cup and drank it all in one go.
Later, the idiom "Water and Fire Without Exchange" came to mean having no social or gift exchanges, describing an official who is incorruptible and takes nothing from the people.
Source: *Book of Sui*, "Biography of Zhao Gui"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "水火无交" came to describe how having no social or gift exchanges, describing an official who is incorruptible and takes nothing from the people.