What is the origin of "giving charcoal in the snow"?

The origin of "giving charcoal in the snow" is closely related to the climate change in China in the Middle Ages. According to the research of Zhu Kezhen, a famous climatologist, during the three hundred years of the Liao, Song and Jin Dynasties, the climate in China experienced a change from warm to cold and then to warm. The Northern Song Dynasty was a period when the climate changed to cold. Therefore, although Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, is south of the Yellow River, it is still very cold and snowy in winter, and it is inevitable that poor people's homes will be hungry and cold. For example, in December of the second year of Kangdi, the capital was snowing heavily, and Song Taizu "set up a felt tent in Wujiang Hall, dressed in mink and wearing a fur hat to see things", still felt very cold. In November of the fifth year of Chunhua in Song Taizong, there was a record of "Great Cold". By the first month of the first year, "the capital was cold and the people froze to death." In November of the sixth year of Xianping, Song Zhenzong, due to the "severe cold" weather, Zhenzong ordered "all roads to stop serving in the army".

In the cold winter, the emperor often gives something to help people keep out the cold, so there is such a blessing as "giving charcoal in the snow". According to the History of Song Dynasty, Song Taizong stayed in Chunhua for four years to show the peaceful atmosphere of Beijing and its image as a benevolent king. Therefore, in February, Emperor Taizong "gave silk to the capital in high years, and a golden belt to the centenarians". It happened that it was raining and snowing, and it was very cold. Therefore, Song Taizong immediately announced that it would send a "special envoy from China" to the capital "one thousand dollars and rice charcoal for the elderly and the poor". In such cold weather, lonely old people have rice charcoal, which means they have hope of life. Therefore, from Song Taizong, the story of "timely help in the snow" spread. In order to promote the rule of virtue, it is not uncommon for monarchs in Song Dynasty to do so, such as Zhenzong and Zhezong. It is more urgent to buy low-priced firewood to keep out the cold in winter. To this end, Song Ting often sold official firewood at a reduced price to benefit the poor. "When charcoal is expensive, the price of charcoal in the capital is often very cheap." And "giving charcoal in the snow" has become the best gift for Song people to spend the winter with their friends. For example, Fan Chengda once wrote "Give charcoal in the snow, and share Zheng Yang" (Note: there is a poem saying "Give charcoal in the snow, not to mention the scenery." ), with the help of "black salary" to express greetings to friends. Gordon once turned to his friend for help because "giving charcoal in the snow is a problem, and it is hard to find."