When Tao Kan was young, he served as a minor official in charge of fishery production in Xunyang. Having left home at a young age, he strictly followed his mother's teachings, working diligently, being loyal to his duties, treating people kindly, and being well-liked. One time, his subordinates, seeing his simple life, brought a jar of pickled fish from the fish curing workshop for him to eat. Filial Tao Kan, remembering his mother's fondness for pickled fish, took the opportunity when a colleague was traveling to Poyang and sent the jar of pickled fish along with a letter of well-wishing.

 

Upon receiving the letter and the gift, Tao's mother was initially pleased with her son's filial piety. She casually asked the person who brought the gift, "How much does this jar of pickled fish cost in Xunyang?" The guest, not understanding her intent, boasted, "Hey, do you need to buy this jar of pickled fish? You can just take it from the workshop below. If your mother loves to eat it, I'll bring more jars next time." Hearing this, Tao's mother's mood suddenly changed from joy to worry. She resealed the jar of pickled fish and asked the guest to return it to Tao Kan with a letter of reprimand. The letter was stern, saying, "As an official, accepting official property as a gift not only does not benefit but also increases my worries."

 

Tao Kan, upon receiving the returned pickled fish and the letter of reprimand, felt extremely guilty and deeply felt that he had let his mother down. He vowed never to do anything that would worry his mother again. From then on, Tao Kan served as an official with integrity and fairness, distinguishing between public and private matters. Even when he retired and returned to his hometown in his later years, he was meticulous in personally locking up the military supplies and warehouses, handing over every bit to the public. Tao Kan's life achievements were soaked in the teachings of his mother, Chen. He was always willing to help others without expecting any reward.