The Diligence and Integrity Chapter of Linchuan Culture | Yan Shu, the Frugal One

Yan Shu enjoyed wealth and prestige from a young age, rising to the highest ranks of office and earning the reputation of a “wealthy and noble chancellor.” Despite a lifetime of high office, Yan Shu lived a modest life and was exceedingly frugal.

Yan Shu was thin and frail, and he ate very little in his daily life. From childhood to old age, he always favored the fried wheat cakes of his hometown; often, just half a palm-sized cake, accompanied by a sprig of scallion and a few cloves of garlic, was enough to satisfy him. He disliked meat most of all, detesting any rich, greasy, or strongly flavored foods.

Although Yan Shu himself did not eat much, he greatly enjoyed entertaining guests, and almost every day someone would come to visit. Unlike others, his gatherings were neither lavish nor ostentatious; rather, they were natural and unpretentious, light yet refined. In his drawing room, there was always a table set for guests, with an empty cup placed upon it. When a visitor arrived, servants would pour wine, followed by a few plates of fruit and dishes, while music played softly in the background. Afterwards, guests would recite poetry or compose lyrics, engaging in lively exchanges—a routine that had become second nature.

Yan Shu was not only frugal in his diet but also meticulous about economizing in his official duties. Whenever he received letters, official documents, or other correspondence, he would never carelessly discard or burn them after reading; instead, he carefully cut off the covers, as well as the blank margins at the top, bottom, and sides, and set them aside with great care. When he had a moment, he would light a fire, take up an iron, and press these wrinkled or creased scraps of paper until they were perfectly smooth, using them as draft sheets for composing poems and lyrics. Even when the emperor sought his advice on matters of state, he would reply on these tiny notes. This austere and thrifty manner of conduct left a profound impression on his son-in-law, Fu Bi. Throughout his life, Fu Bi was exceedingly economical; he would often inscribe six or seven hundred minuscule characters on scraps of paper no larger than three inches by two, a feat that drew widespread admiration.

Yan Shu’s father, Yan Gu, had three sons: Yan Rong, Yan Shu, and Yan Ying. From childhood, Yan Shu and Yan Ying were exceptionally bright and were recommended by local officials as child prodigies. Yan Ying, however, did not live long and died in infancy. Yan Shu’s elder brother, Yan Rong, served in the imperial court during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, holding posts such as Censor, Assistant Minister of Ceremonies, and Palace Attendant. One year, on Yan Shu’s birthday, Yan Rong and his wife sent him numerous gifts to offer their congratulations. Upon reviewing the gift list, Yan Shu was deeply displeased. He promptly ordered that all the presents be returned unopened and penned a long, heartfelt letter to his brother and sister-in-law. In it, he wrote: “…On my birthday, you both have sent so many gifts, troubling yourselves greatly and causing much inconvenience—this weighs heavily on my heart. Between family members, there is no need for such formalities… Though I now hold the office of Grand Chancellor, this is a solemn trust entrusted to me by the court; I fear I may not be up to the task. Regardless, I always keep firmly in mind that an official must never seek personal gain, and a public servant must remain incorruptible. I myself live with extreme frugality, keeping my meals simple; at home, we eat pork only once every two or three days. If we buy fish or any other meat, we forego pork altogether, and the money spent on other meats must never exceed what we would have spent on pork… These words may sound humble and even modest, but unless one is a close brother, I would never dare utter them… Throughout history, those sages and virtuous men of wisdom and integrity, when they took office, were always cautious and prudent, striving to do good for the common people while seeking little for themselves. Those of even higher moral standing went so far as to eat only what they had grown themselves and wear only what they had woven. Yet here we are—my brother and I—who have accomplished nothing remarkable for the people, brought no real benefit to the populace, and yet daily partake of the fruits of their labor. Even if we escape calamity, we ought surely to feel shame…” Upon receiving Yan Shu’s letter, Yan Rong and his wife were overwhelmed with shame and resolved henceforth to live more frugally.

During the Yuanfeng era, Emperor Shenzong commissioned Zeng Gong to compile the imperial history. In his biography of Yan Shu, Zeng Gong praised the statesman, “Though he enjoyed little wealth and status, he conducted himself in a manner befitting a humble scholar.” A truly apt assessment.