In the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) of China＇s history, Duke Xiao was the monarch of the State of Jin. His eldest son, Shen Sheng should have inherited the throne on the death of his father. The King very much doted on his concubine Li who wanted to make her own son the crown prince. So through a scheme she killed the crown prince Shen Sheng. Soon afterwards she began to persecute Chong＇er, the son of the crown prince. As soon as Chong＇er got wind of this, he fled abroad together with his henchmen.
　　On the way to 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 collapsed down to the ground and was not able 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 ravenously 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 the full 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 became the King of Jin State who was named Jin Wengong in China＇s history. After ascending to the throne, Jin Wengong conferred titles and awards to the meritorious officials who had followed him in exile. But he forget Jie Zitui who had sacrificed the flesh of his leg.
　　Quite a few people felt indignant 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 very ashamed and regretful. Bringing his men, he made a personal call to Jie＇s house to invite him out, but only to find the door was locked. Some neighbors said that Jie was not willing to be an official and had gone to Mianshan Mountain, carrying his mother on his back.　
　　Mianshan Mountain was very high with a dangerous and difficult mountain pass and a dense forest. It was by no means easy to look for Jie and his mother. Someone offered the advice of setting a fire to force Jie 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 unbearable pain and nearly cried his heart out!　
When putting Jie＇s dead body into the coffin, people found in a hole in the tree trunk a letter written by Jie in his own blood which read, “I cut off my own flesh to express my dedication and devotion to you. I only hope that my king will always be clear and bright. If you will bear me in mind, make self-examination whenever you think of me."
　　The letter written in blood stayed with Jin Wengong for the rest of his life. In order to remember Jie Zitui, he issued an order to change the name of Mianshan Mountain into Jieshan Mountain and he established the day - Haishi Day or "Cold Food Day". On Cold Food Day every year, no fire or smoke was allowed and people had to eat cold food for the whole day.
　　On Cold Food Day the next year when Jin Wengong led his officials to hold a memorial ceremony for Jie up the mountain, to his surprise, he found the dead old willow tree had revived with luxuriant foliage. He braided a wicker ring and put it on his head to express his sincerity. The officials then followed his example one after another.
　　There and then Jin Wengong bestowed upon the old willow tree the name "Willow Clear and Bright". As soon as he returned to the court he made known all over the country that the day after Cold Food Day was fixed as the Clear and Bright Festival, or Qingming Festival in Chinese. The festival and customs were thus handed down from generation to generation. In addition, people began to visit Jie Zitui＇s tomb and pay their respects to him.
　　It was not until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) about 300 years ago that the practice of Hanshi (or eating cold food) was replaced by that of Qingming, which had now become an important occasion for people to offer sacrifices to their ancestors.
