Legend of Tao Zhugong

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: The Legend of Tao Zhugong

Applicant: Dingtao County, Shandong Province

Project No.: 529

Project No.: i-42

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Folk Literature

Region: Shandong Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Dingtao County, Shandong Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Dingtao District, Heze City

Introduction to the legend of Tao Zhugong:

Applicant: Dingtao County, Shandong Province

The legend of Tao Zhu Gong originated in Dingtao County, Shandong Province. It is mainly about the folk legend of Tao Zhu Gong's financial management and money distribution during his 19 years in Tao. It has a history of more than 2500 years. The real name of Tao Zhu Gong was Fan Li, a statesman and militarist in the late spring and Autumn period. It is said that after the end of the Wu Yue war, Fan Li abandoned his official position and left Vietnam. He traveled westward through the state of Qi to Tao (now Dingtao County, Shandong Province). He believed that there were "four connections among the vassals" in this place, so he settled down in Tao Kai and created a great cause, hence the name of Dingtao.

During his 19 years in business, Tao Zhugong made full use of the geographical advantages of "the world" and accumulated tens of thousands of capital, becoming the richest man in the world. He is rich but also benevolent. He despises money and is good at giving. He is respected by the world. Later, he was regarded as the God of wealth. The legend of Tao Zhu Gong is rich in local characteristics and special connotation, which has a certain reference value for the study of Chinese traditional economy and culture. The legend is on the verge of being lost due to the impact of modern means of communication, which is in urgent need of protection and inheritance.