Tao Kan, courtesy name (a given name to be used later in life as a symbol of adulthood and respect) Shixing and formally Duke Huan of Changsha, was a renowned Jin Dynasty (265-420) general and governor. He was the great-grandfather of the Jin Dynasty poet Tao Yuanming. In an era known in the early stages for extravagance, civil wars, and great turmoil when the non-Han ethnicities overran the north of the country, Tao Kan was among the few people who established a good name for themselves in the court of Eastern Jin.

Tao Kan's father was Tao Dan, a border commander of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. He died when Tao Kan was young. Tao Kan was brought up by his mother, Zhan, a strong-willed woman who was determined for her son to succeed in life.

Tao Kan carried bricks every day to encourage himself  to be studious.

Apart from ensuring he was educated, she used the money from weaving to enable him to establish a network of friends. Her efforts began to pay off when Tao Kan was recommended to become a county secretary by Zhou Fang, who also worked in the county office and became a famous general in the Jin Dynasty.

Tao Kan's next opportunity came when Fan Kui, who was an official in the prefect's office of Fanyang in present-day Jiangxi Province, was passing by and visited them during a snow-bound winter. To provide a decent meal for their guest, Zhan cut off some of her hair to be sold and bought food and drink. She fed Fan's horses with straw from their mattress. Tao Kan chopped up parts of their house to be used as firewood.

They finally managed to host Fan Kui 'properly', though it was clear the family was impoverished. At the end of the visit, Tao Kan escorted Fan Kui on his way.

Touched by their efforts, Fan Kui asked Tao Kan if he wished to work in the prefect's office. Tao Kan replied that he did, but lacked an introduction. Fan Kui recommended him to Zhang Kui, prefect of Lu Jiang, and Tao Kan got his start in the civil service.

Later, when he served as a minor official in charge of fish weirs (an obstruction placed in tidal waters or across a river designed to hinder the passage of fish) in Xunyang Commandery, he once sent a present of salted fish in an earthenware crock to his mother. Zhan sealed the fish back up and returned it to the messenger with a letter upbraiding Tao Kan: "While you are serving as a minor official, if I receive official property as a present, it not only does not make me happy, but even adds to my unhappiness!"

This incident taught Tao Kan a valuable lesson and was the basis for his integrity and honesty.