It is said that during the reign of Emperor Yao, Xu You, who was unwilling to take on a leadership role, lived as a recluse around Mount Jishan. He led a simple, self-sufficient life.

One day, while he was cupping water from the Ying River to drink, someone offered him a gourd ladle. He hung it on a tree, but the wind made it clatter loudly. Xu You found this very annoying, so he threw the ladle aside and walked away without a backward glance.