Which emperor in ancient China first used public chopsticks?

People in China have been eating with chopsticks for thousands of years, but not so long. It is said that the use of public chopsticks only began to spread in Song Gaozong in the Southern Song Dynasty. According to historical records, Song Gaozong Zhao Gou asked his eunuch to prepare two pairs of bowls and chopsticks at every meal. After dozens of meals are served, he will first pick out his favorite dishes with a pair of chopsticks, and the soup he wants to drink will also be served with a spoon, and then he will eat it with another pair of chopsticks. He will eat all the food and soup he picks up in the bowl every time.

Once, an official in Yangzhou gave Song Gaozong a set of luxurious tableware, but he unexpectedly burned it to show his determination to refuse luxury. His eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting laughed at him privately for being stingy when they saw that he ate so simply. Wu Huanghou was very unhappy when he heard this, so he asked him why he ate like this. Song Gaozong replied: I don't want to have dinner with imperial secretary! Every meal of the ancient emperors was dozens of dishes with various kinds, but how much could the emperor eat at a meal? Song Gaozong usually likes vegetarian food, but he is not interested in meat. But there is so much rice left that it is impossible to dump it. It should be given to his maid-in-waiting or eunuch.

Song Gaozong didn't want to see his servant eat food stained with his saliva, so he used this pair of chopsticks. According to historical records, he may be the "first person" who used public chopsticks in the history of China. The form of chopsticks spread to modern times, basically for the sake of cleanliness and hygiene, to prevent the infection of bacteria and viruses. However, Song Gaozong really used it to show respect for his ladies-in-waiting and eunuchs, which was for the health of others.