Zhang Zhongjing is from Nanyang East. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, he served as the magistrate of Changsha, visiting the sick and taking medicine, and practicing medicine in the lobby. Later, he resolutely resigned and went back to his hometown to treat his neighbors. When he got home, it was already winter. He saw that the villagers on both sides of the Baihe River were sallow and emaciated, hungry and cold, and many people's ears were frozen. He asked his disciples to build a medical shed and a cauldron in Dongguan, Nanyang, and to give up "Quhan Joule Decoction" to treat chilblain on the day of winter solstice.
He cooked mutton and some herbs to dispel the cold in a pot, then took out the mutton and chopped the medicine to make ear-shaped Joules and bread. After cooking, he distributed two Joules and a big bowl of broth to everyone who came to ask for medicine. People ate "Joule" and drank "Quhan Decoction", and they were all hot, their ears were hot, and their frostbitten ears were cured.
It is said that the custom of eating dog meat on the solstice began in the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, the Emperor Gaozu, ate dog meat cooked by Fan Kuai on the solstice in winter, which made him feel particularly delicious. He was feverish and sweaty, so he praised eating dog meat on the solstice in winter. Eating in winter can really warm the yang. Since then, the Han people have formed the custom of eating dog meat in winter solstice.
After winter, the weather entered the coldest period. Chinese medicine believes that dog meat and mutton have the function of strengthening yang and tonifying deficiency. Eating dog meat, mutton and various nourishing foods in winter solstice and cold season can supplement the body so as to be energetic and strong in the coming year.