因噎废食 — “To abandon eating because of choking”

Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a story: On a festive night, a wealthy landlord hosted a grand banquet at his home. Everyone was playing finger-guessing games, drinking, and making a clamor like a surging tide.

Suddenly, an old man, who had been enjoying himself the most, broke out in a sweat, rolled his eyes, clutched his neck, and desperately tried to swallow his saliva. It turned out that he had been eager to speak earlier and swallowed a piece of unchewed beef, which got stuck in his throat.

At this moment, people present rushed over, some suggesting to quickly pour him cold water, others to swallow another piece of meat. Someone forcefully opened the old man's mouth, picking up chopsticks to try and extract the meat, while others vigorously squeezed and scraped his neck downwards. Everyone was talking at once and gesticulating, making the old man extremely distressed.

Finally, the old man, unable to bear it any longer, roared, "Get lost!" With that shout, the piece of beef also sprayed out. Everyone burst into laughter and was about to return to their seats to continue eating and drinking.

However, the landlord loudly declared, "Everyone, please go home. That old man's experience is a lesson for us. I believe that to prevent such disasters from happening again, one must not eat wine or meat, nor have three meals a day. From now on, no one in my household will be allowed to eat!" After saying this, he ordered all the jars and pots in the kitchen to be smashed and all the firewood, rice, oil, and salt to be burned.