1032-1085
Bureaucrat And Philosopher

Student. In his early life, Cheng Hao traveled with his father, who was a magistrate, to various counties in Jiangxi, Anhui, and Henan. When he was only fifteen years old, Cheng studied with a Zhou Duni, famous philosopher of the time. In 1052 he went with his father to the capital, Kaifeng, and studied at the Grand Academy. In that year, Cheng gained the Jinshi degree.

Official. Cheng was appointed as keeper of records (assistant magistrate) in 1059. He was a wise judge and an effective official in preventing a famine, checking floods, and rehabilitating prisoners. He helped eliminate bureaucratic red tape, from time to time taking direct action before going through the usual chain of command. Sick people had to have certificates before obtaining food; he expedited the process by keeping rice in reserve for ready delivery without waiting for the presentation of...