A
The Qingming Festival originated in the Spring and Autumn Period, the Prince of Jin, Chong Er was forced to flee, 19 years of fugitive career, often suffering from hunger and cold, wild vegetables for soup.
On one occasion, because of a sudden change in the weather, there were no more wild vegetables to eat, and once hungry for several days, he was on the verge of death.
And among the courtiers who followed him, there was a close courtier named Jie Zi Tui, who was born to be righteous and loyal.
For the sake of Chong Er's health, he quietly cut off a piece of meat from his own leg, and then brought a stew to Chong Er's bedside.
Saying in a serious manner,
"My lord, I am lucky today, I just shot a mountain chicken."
Somewhat convinced, Chong Er took a sip, felt the taste is a bit strange, and then fixed his eyes to see, Jie Zi Tui's leg large area is wet with blood, the heart instantly clear.
Chong Er swore with gratitude:
"I will repay you for your great kindness, sir, when I become the king in the future. "
Two
Many years later, when Chong Er had achieved great success, he rewarded his generals in all directions
only forgetting but the close minister who had cut his flesh and fed him soup.
Jie Zitui didn't care too much about it, and returned to the mountains.
Chong Er was reminded of Jie Zi Tui's achievements, and he could not find him anywhere, but finally found out that Jie Zi Tui was in Mianshan Mountain (southeast of present-day Jiexiu County, Shanxi Province).
Sent several times, Jie Zi Tui has been declined.
Chong Er went there in person, and when Jie Zi Tui heard that he was coming in person, he hid himself in a more secretive place in the mountains during the night.
Chong Er wanted to force Jie Zi Tui to show himself, and more importantly, to show the world that he was an honest king, and that this favor had to be returned.
One of the ministers around him suggested to call for setting fire to the mountain, leaving only one way out, which would force him to show himself.
Three
Three exits on the mountain were set ablaze, leaving only one.
The fire burned for three days and three nights, but did not wait for Jie Zi Tui, only to see Jie Zi Tui's body buried in the fire, leaving a bloody poem on his body.
The poem reads:
Cutting out his flesh to serve the king, but wishing that his lord would always be clear.
It is better to be a ghost under the willow than to be an advisor to the king.
If you have me in your heart, you will always think of yourself when you remember me.
If I am not ashamed of myself in the nine springs, I will be diligent and clear in my administration.
Duke Wen of Jin wept with grief and regretted that he had not been able to repay his kindness.
Duke Wen ordered to change the name of Mian Mountain to "Jie Mountain", built a shrine on the mountain, and designated the day he set fire to the mountain as the Cold Food Festival, which was announced to the whole country.
Every year on this day, fireworks were forbidden and only cold food was eaten. The 2nd day after Jie Zi Tui was buried in the fire was named Qingming Day by Chong Er and has been passed down to the present day.
This is the origin and legend story of Qingming Festival.