Ji Wuzi Blames Zang Wuzhong for Failure to Suppress Banditry

In 552 BC, the State of Lu suffered rampant banditry. Ji Wuzi, the chief minister, reproached Zang Wuzhong, the Minister of Crime, for failing to curb the thieves. Zang retorted that Ji himself had welcomed Shu Qi, a traitor from the state of Zhu who had stolen a city, and rewarded him with a noblewoman and estates. Zang argued that by honoring a major bandit, Ji was effectively rewarding crime, making it impossible to punish lesser offenders among the people. He insisted that those in power must first cleanse their own conduct and establish trust, as the people imitate their superiors. If leaders reward criminality, the law becomes unenforceable. The confrontation ended without formal punishment; Ji fell silent and did not press the matter further.

No formal trial or sanction occurred. After Zang Wuzhong's rebuttal, Ji Wuzi ceased his accusations and took no disciplinary action. The matter concluded as a moral vindication, with no legal penalty imposed on either party.

Whether a chief minister who rewards external bandits can hold the Minister of Crime accountable for failing to suppress domestic banditry, and whether a legal official is responsible for rampant crime when the ruling elite's own actions encourage lawbreaking.

The case became a foundational parable on the principle that "what those above do, the people will follow." It profoundly influenced Confucian and Legalist thought, emphasizing that effective law enforcement requires the ruling class to exemplify integrity and that justice is undermined when power is abused to reward criminals. It remains a classic reference in Chinese legal culture for leadership accountability.