During the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han, Dong Xuan served as Magistrate of Luoyang.
A servant in the household of Princess Huyang – Emperor Guangwu’s elder sister – had committed murder in broad daylight, yet the princess sheltered him within her residence, preventing the officials from arresting him.
Dong Xuan intercepted the princess’s carriage while she was out, accompanied by the servant. Dong Juan enumerated the princess’s faults, and executed the servant on the spot.
The Princess went to complain to Emperor Guangwu, who flew into a rage. He summoned Dong Xuan and ordered him to kowtow to the Princess in apology, but Dong Xuan refused. Emperor Guangwu then ordered his men to hold him by the neck to force him to kowtow, but Dong Xuan propped himself up on the ground with both hands and steadfastly refused to bow his head. Emperor Guangwu was moved by his resolve and released him, jokingly dubbing him the ‘Stiff-Necked Magistrate’.
Origin: *Book of the Later Han: Biographies of Cruel Officials*
#58 强项令
汉光武帝时，董宣担任洛阳令。
光武帝的姐姐湖阳公主的家奴白日杀人，却被公主庇护在府内，官吏无法抓捕。
董宣趁湖阳公主出行时拦下车驾，历数公主的过错，命令家奴下车并当场将他正法。
公主向光武帝哭诉，光武帝大怒，召见董宣，叫他给公主叩头认错，董宣不肯；光武帝命人强行按住他的脖子使他叩头，董宣用两只手支在地上，始终不肯低头。光武帝感叹并释放了他，戏称他为“强项令 （意思是硬脖子的县令）。
出自：《后汉书·酷吏传》