Su Qin was a famous political strategist during the Warring States period. He tirelessly traveled among the states, advocating the "Vertical Alliance" of six states to unite against powerful Qin, and was honored by the rulers of Zhao, Yan, and others.
Once, Su Qin traveled a thousand li to the state of Chu to persuade the King of Chu to join the "Vertical Alliance." By then, Su Qin was already quite famous; if he visited other states, their rulers would receive him immediately. However, after arriving in Chu, he waited three days in the capital city of Ying, yet the King of Chu still did not grant him an audience.
On the fourth day, King Chu finally granted Su Qin an audience. Su Qin analyzed for the king that only by uniting the six states could they resist the mighty Qin, and the king was impressed by Su Qin's eloquence. Just as he was about to ask Su Qin to stay longer in Chu, Su Qin rose to take his leave, saying he would depart immediately for other states.
King of Chu, puzzled by Su Qin's actions, said, "I listen to your words as if hearing the wisdom of the ancients. Yet now you have traveled a thousand li to meet me, but refuse to stay longer in Chu. Why is that?"
When Su Qin heard this, he replied, "In Chu, food is more expensive than pearls and jade, firewood costs more than cinnamon, your king sits high above like the Heavenly Emperor, and those seeking an audience with you are treated like ghosts. If I were to stay in Chu now, it would be like eating jade and burning cinnamon, begging to see the Heavenly Emperor as a lowly ghost—that's exactly why I have no choice but to leave!"
King of Chu understood Su Qin's intent and said sincerely, "Sir, please stay at the guesthouse. I accept your advice!" So Su Qin lodged there. This trip to Chu finally convinced the king to join the "Vertical Alliance." Later, the idiom "Eating Jade, Burning Cinnamon" came to describe exorbitant prices and difficult living conditions.
Source: *Strategies of the Warring States*, Chapter "Strategies of Chu III"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "食玉炊桂" came to describe exorbitant prices and difficult living conditions.