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Chao Ting (1085–1147) was from Wenhsi in Shansi province and twice served as prime minister, but he incurred the wrath of the eunuch Ch’in Kuai and was banished to Chaochou on the southeast coast. Here, he notes the extent to which Chinese customs honoring ancestors were followed in this area where other ethnic groups such as the Yueh predominated. Willow wood was known for its regenerative power and was used to start the new fire after the two-day cooking ban. P’ang Te-kung (fl. 220) lived with his family on a mountain south of Hsiangyang, and his name was later linked with the custom of clearing weeds from one’s ancestral grave. Chao, too, retreats to the countryside and tries to ignore the flute that reminds him of home. He died here soon afterwards as the result of a hunger strike.

Cold Food

CHAO TING

Over the most remote poorest village gate

people stick willow wood to mark the end of spring

in the Land of Yueh the fire ban’s unknown

but like old P’ang they visit ancestral graves

here the royal tombs see no sign of grain

but mountain streams and paths are lined with fallen blossoms

after a jug of wine I lie down on the moss

and try to ignore the evening flute I hear on the city wall