Chapter 167 Tanabata and Xi Shi

Every year before the Qixi Festival, women in Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhejiang have the custom of soaking wattle leaves in water to wash their hair. It is said that washing hair with wattle leaves in water can make hair smooth and black.According to legend, this custom is also related to Xi Shi. Xi Shi, Yang Guifei, Wang Zhaojun and Diao Chan are the four beauties in ancient China, and Xi Shi is the first, the embodiment and synonym of beauty. According to legend, in the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Wu defeated the State of Yue, and King Gou Jian of Yue was captured as a hostage. After being pardoned and returned to the country, he chose Fan Li as his chancellor, and plotted revenge and revival.After careful consideration, Fan Li planned to choose a woman with both talent and beauty as a gift to the King of Wu, so that he would indulge in sensuality and ignore the government affairs, so as to help Yue to avenge the hatred of destroying the country.

As a result, one day, Fan Li met Xi Shi.Xishi, whose name is Yiguang, was born in Zhuluo Village, Zhuji, Zhejiang Province. She was intelligent since she was a child, with a natural beauty.After Yue State was destroyed by Wu State, she often chanted softly in Huansha River: There is spring every year, but there is no spring every year. Huansha water is clear, it is difficult to wash away the hatred of the subjugated country. Fan Li saw that Xi Shi was not only beautiful, but also sad for the country's subjugation. She was a rare and good woman, so he escorted Xi Shi to the state of Wu and became the most beloved concubine of the king of Wu.Xishi confused the King of Wu so that all the relatives and relatives deserted him, and he had no intention of state affairs, which played a role in promoting Goujian's comeback.

After the destruction of Wu, Fan Li retired, took Xi Shi with him on July 7th, and went boating among the five lakes in anonymity.In order to show their respect and love for Xi Shi, the common people soaked wattle leaves in water to wash their hair on July 7th as a memorial.