In the distant Song Dynasty, sumptuous tables were often filled with a variety of delicacies, allowing people to indulge in the taste of food. And when talking about the two pounds of meat in the population of the Song Dynasty, are you curious about the mystery? What role did two-pound meat play in the food culture at that time? What kind of meat does it refer to?
The population of the Song Dynasty was large, and the food culture showed rich and diverse characteristics due to regional differences. In this prosperous era, meat became one of the indispensable ingredients on the table. However, when people refer to two-pound meat, it is not an ordinary food measure word, but represents a specific concept of gastronomy. So, what kind of meat is two pounds of meat?
At the time, beef, pork and lamb were common sources of meat. Each type of meat has its own unique flavor and purpose. However, just as different people have different preferences, so do the preferences for meat in different regions and social classes. Especially in the Song Dynasty, erjin meat was often associated with specific social identities and regional cultures.
Therefore, when Xiao Er heard that the person ordering asked to cut two pounds of meat, he would not choose meat at will. Instead, he decides which meat to serve based on the identity of the guest. For the reckless man, they advocate rebellion and are not bound by the law, so Xiao Er will not hesitate to bring a piece of delicious beef.
For the timid city dwellers, Xiao Er will carefully choose an ordinary piece of pork. For the dignitaries, they pursue luxury and uniqueness, and Xiao Er will carry a piece of tender lamb to serve.
"Song Dynasty Cuisine: Northern Cake and Southern Rice, Rich and Diverse Table Feast"
During the distant Song Dynasty, the economy boomed, which made the people's tables full of rich and varied food, which became a great enjoyment in their lives.
Compared with the previous dynasties, the people of the Song Dynasty were fortunate enough to taste a wider variety of cuisine, which greatly satisfied their tastes. Whole grains have always been a staple food for the people of the Song Dynasty, but unlike modern times, crops such as corn and sweet potatoes had not yet been introduced.
It is worth mentioning that the staple food of the Song Dynasty presents a unique flavor in different regions, represented by the north and the south. The staple food in the north is corn, and the aroma of coarse grains permeates the land. People use corn as a raw material to make a variety of delicious pasta dishes that become an indispensable part of their tables.
Northerners often make flour into various types of cakes, the most common of which is burnt bread. Baked over the fire, these biscuits are golden and crispy on the outside and soft and plump on the inside, giving off a mouth-watering aroma. Biscuits are often served with a variety of vegetables, meats and sauces to form a hearty breakfast or dinner.
Another northern staple is soup cake, which is modern noodles. The soup cake made from flour is flexible and smooth, and the mouth is smooth and delicious. Soups are placed in a hot soup and various ingredients and seasonings are added to create a fragrant pasta soup.
The staple food in the south is mainly rice, and the cultivation of rice provides rich food resources for southerners. Rice is carefully cooked to become fragrant white rice, which has become the protagonist of the table of southerners. They are based on rice and paired with a variety of dishes and ingredients to form a rich and varied combination of dishes.
Such a variety of cake food varieties made the tables of the Song Dynasty people full of color and attractive aroma. They create mouth-watering delicacies through different cooking methods and ingredient combinations.
The Good Guys and the Beef in Water Margin: The Food Struggle Under Legal Restrictions
In the Song Dynasty and other dynasties, cattle were regarded as an important means of production, and eating beef was strictly restricted, and only if the cow was old or injured and could not recover, could it apply to the government to slaughter the cattle, and the approval of the government was required.
When guests order food in the inn or restaurant, Xiao Er will provide a variety of different dishes according to the guests' requirements. Although "Water Margin" often depicts scenes of good men eating meat, the meat that Xiao Er came up was not necessarily beef. According to the laws and social customs of the time, the meat in the meal may be pork, chicken, lamb and other edible animal meat, not beef.
The preparation and cooking methods of these dishes vary from region to region and personal preference, and each dish has its own unique flavor and texture. Whether in the Song Dynasty or other dynasties, people chose food according to their economic situation, regional customs, and personal tastes when eating. Therefore, the meat dishes that come up from Xiao Er are likely to be prepared according to the needs of the guests and the available ingredients, not necessarily beef.
In "Water Margin", why did the store dare to sell beef to good men? In ancient man-ruled societies, the law prohibited the slaughter of cattle, but the enforcement of the law could not be separated from the enforcer. Many remote mountainous areas and remote places, far from the government, cannot reach every corner of the administrative force. In these places, folk customs often differ from official laws.
Shopkeepers understand this and are adept at exploiting loopholes in the law to meet the needs of their customers. They knew the good guys' craving for beef and the limitations of the government's enforcement of the law. Therefore, they often adopt flexible strategies.
Shopkeepers may get their beef from pastures or remote areas far from the city, away from the sight of the government. They will communicate carefully with customers to ensure confidentiality and avoid causing unnecessary trouble. Sometimes, they even offer beef at certain times or occasions so that even if someone finds out, it can be justified on special grounds.
This clever response allowed the store to continue serving beef dishes to satisfy the appetites of the good guys. And the good guys also feel free and unique eating experience. Beef became a symbol of their fortitude and indomitability, while deepening their distance from mainstream society.
It is this tradition of "there are policies and countermeasures" that allows the good guys to enjoy delicious beef in "Water Margin", demonstrating their spirit of fighting for authority and pursuing freedom. With their unique craftsmanship and wisdom, the shopkeepers skillfully respond to the restrictions of the law, satisfy the taste buds of customers, and also win word of mouth and trust.
Food wrestling in Water Margin: the beef vs. pork battle behind it
In the story of "Water Margin", one day, the hero recklessly breaks into an inn, he is an informal person, and he does not pay attention to the constraints of the law. Xiao Er hurriedly came up to entertain him and served a plate of tempting meat dishes. Da Xia saw that this was a piece of tender and juicy beef, which was exactly the delicacy he had in mind. He nodded in satisfaction and began to feast.
At the same time, the timid little man quietly walked into the same inn. He knew that he was not a hero and did not dare to disobey the law. When Xiao Er came up, he served a plate of steaming dishes. Xiaomin saw that this was a piece of fragrant pork. Although it is not as eye-catching as beef, for him, it is already a luxury.
At this moment, Zheng Tu walked into the inn as a butcher on the street. He is exactly the character in "Water Margin" and sells pork for a living. Although Zheng Tu's pork was not a favorite ingredient of the aristocracy, most of his customers were small city residents, and their demand for pork was very strong.
In Bianliang City in the late Song Dynasty, the population had exceeded one million. The daily consumption of pork is as high as 600,000 catties, which is equivalent to an average of half a kilogram of pork per person per day. However, in the society of the time, pork was considered inferior meat of inferior status, and the nobles were not interested in it, preferring to enjoy superior lamb.
Despite this, Zheng Tu is still busy on the streets of the city, serving delicious pork to the city's residents. He carefully slaughters the pigs and processes the meat so that each piece of pork is filled with an attractive aroma. Although not valued by the nobility, his pork was a mouthwatering delicacy among the city's small people.
epilogue
The meat served is closely related to the identity of the orderer. History reminds us that the distribution and enjoyment of food was once limited, and that today's abundance should trigger a sense of cherishing and gratitude. Regardless of our status, we should understand the preciousness of food and treat every meal with thrift and gratitude.
In this story, beef, pork and lamb not only represent the type of food, but also reflect the hierarchy of society and people's identity. Through such comparisons, we can better understand the desire and value of food in historical times, as well as the attitude of thrift and gratitude that we should maintain in modern society. Let us remember the preciousness of the past, cherish the abundance of the present, and treat every meal with thrift and gratitude.
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