In a.d. 1368, after Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor, he encountered natural disasters and failed to harvest everywhere. The people's life is very poor, but some dignitaries live a luxurious life. Zhu Yuanzhang, a poor beggar, was very angry and determined to rectify. One day, during the queen's birthday, Zhu Yuanzhang took advantage of the opportunity of many ministers to congratulate her birthday and deliberately set up a simple meal to warn the civil and military officials. More than ten tables were seated, and Taizu ordered the maid-in-waiting to serve.
The first course is fried radish, radish and hundreds of herbs. A folk proverb says, "When radishes are on the market, pharmacies are closed." Said.
The second dish is fried leek, which is full of vitality and evergreen all the year round, symbolizing the long-term stability of the country.
Then there are two bowls of vegetables, indicating that officials are clean and honest.
Finally, the common chopped green onion tofu soup.
After the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang announced in public: "In the future, all ministers will invite you to dinner, with only four dishes and one soup at most. The queen's birthday party is not only an example, but anyone who violates it will be punished in hell. "
Since then, the rule of "four dishes and one soup" has spread from the imperial court to the people and become a model of modern clean government.