In 186 AD, during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a rebellion erupted in Jiangxia Commandery. The rebel leader Zhao Ci led his forces to raid neighboring territories, killing Qin Jie, the Grand Administrator of Nanyang. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Ling immediately transferred Yang Xu, the Grand Administrator of Lujiang, to take over Nanyang and suppress the rebellion.
Upon receiving his appointment, Yang Xu took only a young attendant, changed into plain clothes, and traveled incognito to Nanyang to observe the local conditions firsthand. After taking office, he swiftly joined forces with Inspector Wang Min of Jingzhou to quell the rebellion.
At the time, the powerful clans of Nanyang indulged in extravagant and decadent lifestyles, and the local officials under Nanyang Commandery were rife with corruption. During his private inspections, Yang Xu uncovered numerous misdeeds. Once the rebellion was quelled, he immediately set about rectifying official conduct, punishing several corrupt officials who had abused the law. This earned him the support of Nanyang's people, and the region's situation quickly stabilized.
Yang Xu was determined to reform the wasteful social customs of his time. He lived frugally, eating simple meals, wearing old official robes, and using a dilapidated carriage. Seeing the governor's self-discipline, the officials of Nanyang dared not indulge in extravagance, and the local atmosphere soon improved.
One day, the Deputy Prefect of Nanyang received several live carp and, knowing that Yang Xu lived frugally, specially sent one to him. Yang Xu, understanding the Deputy's goodwill, accepted the fish without refusing on the spot. However, he realized that if others learned he had accepted the Deputy's gift, they would send him other items. After thinking it over, he tied the fish to a rope and hung it in his courtyard.
A few days later, the prefectural aide brought Yang Xu another live fish. Yang Xu took out the dried fish from last time and said, "Look, I haven't even eaten the fish you gave me last time—how could I possibly accept another one?"
The prefect's assistant, understanding Yang Xu's meaning perfectly, left with a flushed face.
Later, the idiom "Yang Xu Hanging Fish" came to describe an official who is incorruptible and refuses bribes.
Source: *Book of the Later Han*, "Biography of Yang Xu"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "羊续悬鱼" came to describe an official who is incorruptible and refuses bribes.