By outdoor-nature-child.com On a weekend morning in the scenic Liu Chi Lane of Tongcheng, Anhui, the first batch of tourists has begun to arrive. As the sky brightens, more visitors flock to the area.
“Behind me, Liu Chi Lane holds a captivating story of courtesy and respect,” says Zhang Yun, a member of the “Small Town Stories” volunteer interpretation service team, as she welcomes guests at the entrance of the lane.
Legend has it that during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Ying, a high-ranking scholar and Minister of Rites, became embroiled in a dispute over property with his neighbor, the Wu family. Seeking help, Zhang’s family wrote to him in the capital. In his response, Zhang penned a poem saying, “This letter is merely about a wall; what harm in giving up three feet?” Upon receiving the letter, Zhang’s family willingly conceded three feet of their land, which moved the Wu family to do the same in turn. This noble act forged the well-known tale of Liu Chi Lane.
Zhang Yun, who serves as the Party Secretary of the Liu Chi Lane community, is also a direct descendant of Zhang Ying. Growing up hearing the story of her ancestor’s graciousness, she has recently gained a deeper understanding of both Liu Chi Lane and the wisdom of her forebears.
On October 17, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Liu Chi Lane within the ancient city of Tongcheng. Standing before the wall adorned with ancient poetry, he revisited the tale of courtesy between the Zhang and Wu families. General Secretary Xi emphasized that Liu Chi Lane exemplifies the historical wisdom of resolving conflicts and should be regarded as an educational site to promote Chinese traditional culture, emphasizing the virtues of courtesy and harmony to foster a peaceful community.
“I was truly inspired by the General Secretary’s remarks,” Zhang Yun recalled. “As a community worker and a descendant of the Zhang family, it is my duty to tell this extraordinary story well and ensure its continuation.”
Her storytelling not only encompasses tales from over 300 years ago but also reflects contemporary experiences.
“Liu Chi Lane is no longer just a geographic location or a historical anecdote; it represents a methodology for our work,” Zhang Yun explained.
The Tongcheng People’s Court applies this philosophy to judicial mediation. “In our work, we have found that many seemingly irreconcilable disputes stem from both parties fighting for pride. With the right approach, these tensions can be diffused,” Vice President Yang Yuqin remarked. The court has successfully integrated the cultural essence of Liu Chi Lane with judicial practice, developing a mediation approach based on six principles: listening, distinguishing, persuading, borrowing, yielding, and harmonizing.
In June of this year, a citizen named Jin Ye engaged in a legal dispute with a local enterprise over freight charges and brought the case to court. Upon hearing the details, the court’s Fanggang People’s Tribunal invited both parties to the Liu Chi Lane mediation studio. Judge Cao Hong guided them to consider each other’s perspectives, encouraging them to take steps back for the sake of harmony.
“Internal conflicts among people should be resolved through mediation. With earnest dialogue and genuine concern, both parties agreed to shake hands and even discussed future collaborations,” Cao shared.
“Many conflicts arise from misunderstandings. If both parties could yield a little, many issues could be resolved,” Jin Ye added.
“The virtue of courtesy and valuing harmony not only showcases ancient wisdom but also offers valuable insights for resolving conflicts and grassroots governance in today’s society,” Cao concluded.
Such stories of transforming conflict into reconciliation are not rare in Tongcheng. In 2023, the “Liu Chi Lane Mediation Method” was included in the Supreme People’s Court’s work report. Last November, it was recognized as an advanced model for the innovative “Fengqiao Experience” of the new era.
The Liu Chi Lane community, home to over 2,200 households, has seen the historical wisdom of resolving conflicts assist Zhang Yun’s work significantly.
Tongcheng has innovatively established the “New Era Liu Chi Lane Work Method” in grassroots governance, with over 300 mediation rooms set up across local units. “Our Liu Chi Lane has become a brand for social governance,” Zhang Yun expressed proudly.
“With the General Secretary’s visit to Anhui recently concluded, efforts are underway from the provincial to the municipal levels to further explore the rich connotations of Liu Chi Lane and to leverage the traditional virtues of courtesy and harmony to foster an environment where people can live and work in peace,” Zhang Yun stated. She and her colleagues are committed to better utilizing Liu Chi Lane as a platform to promote excellent Chinese traditional culture and to facilitate neighborly harmony in building a beautiful community.