原文：

郑燮，号板桥，清乾隆元年进士，曾任山东范县知县。其在任期间，政绩卓著，尤以清廉爱民闻名。有一年，范县大旱，田地干裂，百姓饥馑。郑板桥见状，心生怜悯，遂决定开仓济民。

郑板桥召集县内乡绅商议此事，众人皆劝阻：“公职之仓廪，岂可轻启？一旦开仓，恐有损国库，且难保无奸佞趁机窃取。”郑板桥却道：“民为邦本，本固邦宁。今百姓困苦，若不施援手，岂非失职？”言罢，不顾众人反对，毅然下令开仓放粮，救济灾民。

此举虽获百姓感恩戴德，却也引来上司不满。上级责令查办，郑板桥据理力争：“仓廪虽属官府，实为民所积。若民不活，则官何以为治？今开仓济民，乃为社稷长远计，岂能因小失大？”最终，郑板桥因赈灾有功，不仅免于处分，还受到朝廷嘉奖。

译文：

Zheng Xie, styled Banqiao, was an imperial scholar of the first year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty. He served as the magistrate of Fan County in Shandong Province. During his term, he earned a reputation for his integrity and care for the people. One year, Fan County suffered from a severe drought. The fields cracked open, and the people faced starvation. Seeing this, Zheng Banqiao felt deeply concerned and decided to open the granary to help the starving population.

Zheng Banqiao called together local gentry and officials to discuss the matter. They all advised against it, saying: “The granaries belong to the government. Opening them could harm the national treasury, and there is no guarantee that rogues won’t take advantage.” Zheng Banqiao responded: “The people are the foundation of the state; if the foundation is solid, the state will be stable. If we do not help now, it would be a dereliction of duty.” Despite their objections, he firmly ordered the granary to be opened and distributed grain to the suffering populace.

This act earned him gratitude from the people but drew criticism from his superiors. His superior ordered an investigation, but Zheng Banqiao argued strongly: “The granaries may belong to the government, but they are meant for the people. If the people cannot survive, how can governance continue? Opening the granary to help the people is a long-term strategy for the nation’s prosperity, and one should not lose sight of the bigger picture over minor concerns.” Ultimately, Zheng Banqiao was not only spared punishment but also received commendation from the court for his efforts in disaster relief.