The phenomenon of cannibalism did exist in ancient times. In times of war or famine, when people really had no food, they would eat human flesh, and there was a phenomenon of changing their sons to eat.

Yi zi and eat, Yi: exchange, zi, refers to children. Originally, in the Spring and Autumn Period, the Song State was besieged by the State of Chu, and there was no food in the city. The people could not bear to eat their children who starved to death, but in order to survive, the two families exchanged their children as their own food. Later it was used to describe the extremely miserable life of the victims.

Source: "Zuo Zhuan Xuangong Fifteen Years": "The widowed gentleman told Yuan that he was ill, saying:' My city is easy to eat, and the bones are analyzed'. Although the alliance under the city is based on the country, it cannot be followed. "

It means: "Our people are so poor that they exchange their children's meat and use their bones as firewood, but we will never make an alliance at the gates. If we retreat for 30 miles, we will all comply."

Extended data

Cannibalism is well documented in China's history books, such as "Yi Zi Yi Shi", "Man Eating", Historical Records, New Tang Book, Zi Zhi Tong Jian, Ming History and so on. From 205 BC to 1930, the official records recorded that cannibalism occurred in 1 18 periods in China's history, which did not include the unofficial history.

In ancient China, there was a saying that a biped sheep was not a sheep, but a person who was eaten as food in bloody scenes, which was recorded in many places in ancient times. Especially in the war-torn ancient times, people were in dire straits, so they had to cook and eat people. Refers to people who are eaten as food.

Reference Baidu encyclopedia-easy to eat