The Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival is one of the 24 seasonal division points in China, falling on April 4—6 in the Gregorian calendar each year. After the festival, the temperature will rise up and rainfall increases. It is the high time for spring plowing and sowing. But the Qingming Festival is not only a seasonal point to guide farm work, it is also a festival of commemoration. This festival is a unique one, seeing a combination of sadness and happiness.
There is a moved story about the origin of Qingming Festival. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC—476 BC) of China’s history, the monarch① of the State of Jin was Jin Xiangong who doted on his concubine Liji very much. Liji wanted to make her own son inherit the throne, while the crown prince is Shen Sheng, the eldest son of Jin Xiangong. So the concubine Liji killed the crown prince Shen Sheng by scheme. Soon afterwards she began to persecute② Chong’er, the younger brother of the crown prince. As soon as Chong’er got wind of this, he fled abroad together with his henchmen.
On the way of exile Chong’er and his henchmen went through all kinds of hardships and difficulties. One day they came to a remote and uninhabited place where Chong’er, worn out and hungry. Suddenly, the ground collapsed down and it was impossible for them to go a step further. Actually, he was starving and dying.
His henchmen searched for a long time but could find nothing to eat. So everyone was deeply worried. Seeing this, Jie Zitui, an official following him, retreated to a secluded place and cut a piece of flesh off his thigh. He cooked a bowl of soup with his flesh and held it to Chong’er in his hands.
Chong’er devoured the soup ravenously③ and then recovered his vitality gradually. When he asked where they got the flesh, the officials looked at Jie Zitui whose gown was stained with blood and told Chong’er everything with tears in their eyes.
Chong’er was so moved that, with all sorts of feelings welling up in his heart, he embraced Jie Zitui and said, shedding tears, “What shall I do to repay you?” “You have tasted to the full the bitterness of the people through your exile. I hope you will be a king clear and bright in the future.” replied Jie.
Nineteen years later, Chong’er finally went back to his country and became the King of Jin State who was named Jin Wengong in China’s history. After his ascending the throne, Jin Wengong conferred④ titles and awards to the meritorious officials who had followed him in exile, but only to forget Jie Zitui who had sacrificed the flesh of his leg.
Quite a few people felt indignant⑤ at the injustice done to Jie Zitui. They advised him to see the king and ask for awards. Jie Zitui, however, disdained very much those who contended for merits and asked for rewards. He tidied up his things and went quietly with his mother to the Mianshan Mountain to live in seclusion.
When Jin Wengong heard of that, he was only too ashamed and regretful. Bringing his men, he made a personal call to Jie’s house to invite him, but only to find the door was locked. Some neighbors said that Jie was not willing to be an official and had gone to the Mianshan Mountain, carrying his mother on his back.
The Mianshan Mountain was very high with a dangerous and difficult mountain pass and a dense forest. And it was by no means easy to look for Jie and his mother. Someone offered an advice of setting a fire to the mountain for he is such a filial son that he would carry his mother out. Jin Wengong readily agreed. So a soaring fire immediately spread from the three sides of the mountain.
The fire burned all over the Mianshan Mountain, yet not a shadow of Jie was found. When the fire went out, however, people found Jie dead sitting under an old willow tree with his mother on the back. Seeing this Jin Wengong felt unbearably painful and nearly cried his heart out!
When putting Jie’s dead body into the coffin, people found in a hole of the tree trunk a letter written by Jie in his own blood which read, “I cut off my own flesh to dedicate⑥ to you only to express my devotion. And I only wish my king will always be clear and bright...If you will bear me in mind, make self-examination whenever you recollect me...”
The letter written in blood accompanied Jin Wengong to spend the rest of his life. In order to keep in memory of Jie Zitui, he issued an order to turn the name of Mianshan Mountain into Jieshan and make the day Hanshi Day (or Cold Food Day). And on the Cold Food Day every year, no fire or smoke was allowed and people should eat cold food for the whole day.
