Ruler of the state of Jin who came to power after 19 years in exile and became one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period. The idiom 退避三舍 comes from his promised retreat before the Chu army.
Duke Wen of Jin spent nineteen years in exile before returning home to take the throne.
Tips
culture
Legend says his follower 介子推 fed him flesh cut from his own thigh in exile, then refused any reward and hid in the mountains, dying when the duke set them alight to drive him out. The fireless 寒食节, 'Cold Food Festival', is said to mourn him.
