Zhuo Mao

Zhuo Mao (c. 50 BCE28 CE), courtesy name Zikang (子康), was a Chinese official who lived during the late Western Han dynasty and early Eastern Han dynasty. He served as the Grand Tutor (太傅) and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Baode (褒德侯) under Emperor Guangwu of Han. He was from Wan County, Nanyang Commandery (present-day Nanyang, Henan). Highly regarded as a historical model of clean administration, his local rule was characterized by a strict focus on moral governance and Confucian values rather than penal law. He was known for his benevolent and tolerant character and for not competing with others.

Biography Zhuo Mao was from Wan County, Nanyang Commandery (present-day Nanyang, Henan). His grandfather and father both served as Commandery Administrators (郡守). , Zhuo Mao governed with great moral influence , and it was said that people would not pick up lost items on the road. His administration was reportedly so effective , that during a locust plague which devastated more than twenty counties in Henan, Mi County alone remained unaffected.

In 6 CE, after Wang Mang's usurpation, Zhuo Mao immediately resigned from his official position, using illness as justification to return to his home commandery.

Eastern Han Dynasty

During the reign of Emperor Gengshi, Zhuo Mao was summoned to serve as Gentleman Consultant (侍中祭酒). In his seventies, he traveled to Chang'an, but upon witnessing the disorder of the time, he retired due to age.

In the first year of the Jianwu era (25 CE), Emperor Guangwu of Han sought out Zhuo Mao to signal a cultural restoration of Confucian ethics in the newly established Eastern Han dynasty.

Death Zhuo Mao died in 28 CE. He was given a state funeral, and Emperor Guangwu personally attended the burial in mourning attire. His son Zhuo Chong later served as Minister of Agriculture (大司农) and was enfeoffed Marquis Fanxiang (汎乡侯).

In 60 CE, Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han dynasty honored him by hanging his portrait together with the 28 generals of the Cloud Terrace (雲台二十八將).

Family