In Chifeng, Chao’an(a place in Teochew), every charcoal burner must offer three kinds of animals (pork, chicken, and fish, three meat offerings used in sacrificial ceremonies) to their kiln. There’s a story behind this.

The Ragged Old Man

Once upon a time, there was a charcoal-making family in Chifeng. Whenever they needed to load the kiln, a ragged old man would always come to help them with the work, lighting the fire, burning the kiln, and starting the kiln.

Requesting the Three Animal Offerings

After completing these tasks, he asked the kiln owner for wine and the three animals (pork, chicken, and fish, three meat offerings used in sacrificial ceremonies). Thanks to the old man’s guidance, he harvested abundant and high-quality clean charcoal when dismantling the kiln.

‘Not Much’ Skill

As time went on, the kiln owner realized the old man didn’t have much skill. He just worked hard and talked, yet demanded wine and meat. He felt this wasn’t worth it. One time, when the old man had helped him set up the kiln, not only did he not offer him food or drink, he even dismissed him.

When he went to dismantle the kiln to get the charcoal, the owner saw that the firewood was half-cooked. Not much of it had burned into charcoal, and even the charcoal that did was inferior.

Regret

The kiln owner regretted his decision, but where could he find the old man? The next time he rebuilt the kiln, he had to prepare the wine and the three kinds of meat beforehand. Even the bowls, plates, cups, and chopsticks were laid out, demonstrating his meticulous consideration for the old man. When he dismantled the kiln, it was filled with gleaming charcoal.

From then on, anyone who burned charcoal had to offer three animals in front of the kiln, meaning to invite the ragged old man to come for guidance.