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Story 8: The Legend of Qingming Festival
The Legend of Qingming Festival
Author: Anonymous
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Prince Chong’er of Jin Dynasty went into exile abroad to escape persecution. During his exile, he was tired and hungry in a deserted place, and could no longer stand up. The minister searched for a long time but could not find anything to eat.
While everyone was extremely anxious, the minister Jie Zitui walked to a quiet place, cut off a piece of meat from his own thigh, cooked a bowl of broth and gradually regained his energy. When Chong’er discovered that the meat was cut off by Jie Zitui’s own leg, he shed tears.
Nineteen years later, Chong’er became the king, also known as Duke Wen of Jin in history. After he ascended the throne, Duke Wen paid heavy rewards to the officials who accompanied him in exile, but he forgot about Jie Zitui. Many people complained about Jie Zitui and advised him to ask for a reward from the king. However, Jie Zitui despised those who strive for merit and reward. He packed his bags and quietly went to Mianshan to live in seclusion.
After Duke Wen of Jin heard about it, he was so ashamed that he took people to invite Jie Zitui himself. However, Jie Zitui had already left home and gone to Mianshan. Mianshan Mountain has high mountains, dangerous roads and dense trees. It is not easy to find two people. Someone came up with a plan to burn Mianshan Mountain from three sides to force Jie Zitui out. The fire burned all over Mianshan, but there was no sign of Jie Zitui.
After the fire died, people found that Jie Zitui, who was carrying his old mother, had died sitting under an old willow tree. When Duke Wen of Jin saw this, he couldn’t help but cry. During the burial, a blood book was found in the hole of the tree, which read: “I cut my flesh to show my loyalty to the king, and I hope that my lord will always be clear.” In order to commemorate Jie Zitui, Duke Wen of Jin ordered this day to be designated as the Cold Food Festival.
The next year, Duke Wen of Jin led his ministers to climb the mountain to pay homage and found that the old willow tree had come back to life. He gave the old willow tree the name “Qingming Willow” and informed the world that the day after the Cold Food Festival would be the Qingming Festival.
