In the urban area of Tongcheng City in Anhui Province, there is an alley about a hundred meters long and two meters wide—Liuchixiang. 

During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, a dispute over residential land occurred between the family of Zhang Ying and their neighbor Wu's family in Tongcheng. Zhang's family sent a letter to Zhang Ying in Beijing seeking his help. In his reply letter, Zhang Ying wrote a poem: "A letter comes for just a wall, what harm is there in yielding one meter?" Upon receiving the letter, the Zhang family voluntarily conceded three feet; moved by this gesture, the Wu family also stepped back three feet, thus creating the story behind Liuchixiang. An alley became a model for harmonious and courteous neighborly relations in China.  

Recently, many tourists have been flocking to visit this "Liuchixiang" to learn about its story firsthand.

Spreading the story of Liuchixiang and continuing the tradition of "harmony is precious," the local area uses "Liuchixiang Drama Troupe" as a platform to self-write and direct Huangmei operas, sketches, and other plays. Through these popular forms of entertainment, they promote the culture of Liuchixiang, instilling the essence of the philosophy of "harmony is precious" and the humanistic spirit of humility and courtesy deeply into people's hearts. This creates a rich atmosphere where "everyone tells the story of Liuchixiang, and harmony is showcased everywhere." 

Using the wisdom of our ancestors to resolve conflicts, is not just within the Liuchixiang community. In 2021, Tongcheng City innovated and formed the "New Era Liuchixiang Working Method" in the field of grassroots governance across the city.

The story of Liuchixiang continues to spread in broader spaces. The "New Era Liuchixiang Working Method," as an important approach to social governance, has been promoted throughout the entire province. 

Source: Anhui Daily