In Hefei, on October 19, a remarkable story unfolds from the central area of Tongcheng, Anhui Province, where a narrow alley called “Liuxi Lane” stretches approximately 100 meters. While the alley isn’t particularly spacious, it has gained fame for a remarkable tale of mutual respect and diplomacy that spans over 300 years.

As you enter Liuxi Lane, you’ll find it measures about 100 meters long and just 2 meters wide, culminating at an archway carved with the characters “Li Ren” (mutual respect). Historical records, including the “Brief History of Tongcheng County,” recount a dispute during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. The scholar Zhang Ying, who served as Grand Secretary and Minister of Rites, faced a land dispute with his neighbor, the Wu family. After receiving a letter from his family seeking help, Zhang composed a poetic response, expressing the spirit of compromise: “A letter comes only for a wall, yielding three feet is no loss after all. The Great Wall stretches for miles, yet we don’t see Qin Shihuang today.” The poignant message led the Wu family to agree to a compromise, allowing both families to retreat by three feet, thus creating the six-foot-wide alley.

The story of Liuxi Lane transcends mere history; it embodies the traditional Chinese virtues of mutual respect and harmony. The Tongcheng People’s Court has innovatively adopted the “Liuxi Lane Mediation Method,” which utilizes a six-step process—listening, discerning, advising, borrowing, yielding, and harmonizing—to effectively resolve community disputes and foster social cohesion.

“Previously, two families clashed over the construction of steps in front of their homes. However, after we applied the Liuxi Lane Mediation Method, they embraced the spirit of mutual respect and agreed to share the steps, successfully resolving their conflict,” explained Fan Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of the Park Community in Wenchang Street, Tongcheng City.

Today, the influence of Liuxi Lane can be seen throughout the streets of Tongcheng. Street signs now read, “Arguing won’t get you anywhere; yielding leads to Liuxi Lane,” while community buildings display the poetic phrase, “Is it too much to yield three feet?” These cultural symbols not only highlight the unique charm of Tongcheng City but also serve as a spiritual guide for citizens to practice humility, respect, and harmonious coexistence.

Liuxi Lane is not merely a testament to neighborly humility; it also encapsulates the literary brilliance and spirit of the Tongcheng school, renowned during the Qing dynasty for its rigorous writing style and profound scholarship. The beauty of its fresh, elegant, and simple prose, along with a scholarly approach that values moral reasoning, textual research, and literary composition, continues to be passed down through generations in this region.

“As a cultural worker in Tongcheng, we are committed to deepening our exploration of the rich meanings embedded in Liuxi Lane,” remarked Ye Xin, the director of the Tongcheng Museum. “We aim to enhance the effective protection and utilization of the historical and cultural districts, relics of the Tongcheng school, and the residences of famous figures, fostering new tourism models that enhance visitor experience. We strive for the integration of culture and tourism, bringing historical artifacts to life while promoting the continuous elevation of China’s outstanding traditional culture.”