Qu Yuan was spared twice in his life. The first place of exile was Hanbei, in the upper reaches of Hanshui River. In the twenty-fourth year of Huai Wang, the State of Qin and the State of Chu forged a "Yellow Thorn Alliance", and the State of Chu completely embraced Qin. Because Qu Yuan opposed this alliance, he was expelled from Yingdu and exiled to Hanbei.

In the sixth year of King Xiang, the King of Qin sent a letter to King Xiang of Chu blaming the betrayal of Chu, and he wanted to lead the princes to crusade against Chu and decide whether to win or lose. Qu Yuan pointed out the feeling that "Chu Qing Xiang Wang did not forget his desire to rebel", and also pointed out that the end of Huai Wang's death in other countries was because "his so-called loyalists were unfaithful, while the so-called sages were not virtuous". These words threatened Zilan, and Zilan instructed Jin Shang to make a slanderous speech to King Xiang, who was furious and exiled Qu Yuan to a remote area in the south for the second time.

Qu Yuan and Dragon Boat Festival;

On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 278 BC, Qu Yuan was filled with grief and indignation after hearing the news that Qin Jun had invaded the capital of Chu. Knowing that he was unable to serve his country, he chose to be determined by his death. After writing his last poem "Huai Sha", he threw himself into the Miluo River with a stone and died.

The people along the river heard about it, so they all rowed boats to salvage it. An old doctor poured realgar wine into the river, saying it was to drive away the dragon monster so as not to hurt Qu Yuan's body. Seeing this, the people followed suit. Later generations will regard the Dragon Boat Festival as a festival to commemorate Qu Yuan.