In the first year of Hongxi, Zhu Qizhen of Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty was captured by Wara and fell into the Tumubao Change. This war not only shook the foundation of the Ming Empire, but also broke the heart of Empress Dowager Sun. She prayed day and night for her son's safe return. Finally, after going through a lot of hardships, Zhu Qizhen returned to his homeland. Empress Dowager Sun held a grand family banquet for him, during which a special dish was served - Ulva vegetable soup. This seemingly ordinary dish contains profound historical and cultural significance. Why did Empress Dowager Sun choose this dish to entertain the emperor's son, who had just escaped from the tiger's mouth? What is so special about Ulva that it can be the finale of this family feast? What's the story behind this?
Ulva is a seemingly ordinary aquatic plant, but it plays a unique and important role in the long river of Chinese civilization. Tracing its origins, we need to go back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. At that time, the ancestors of the Jiangnan water towns discovered this strange plant that grew in the clear waters when they were exploring edible plants. Its soft stems and leaves and refreshing taste soon became a regular on the table of the local residents.
Legend has it that during the Wu period, there was a virtuous minister named Ji Za, who liked to go for a walk by the Taihu Lake in his spare time. One day, he noticed a plant in the lake with small leaves and slender stems. Curiosity drove him to pick some and bring them back to the house to cook. Unexpectedly, this seemingly ordinary aquatic herb was boiled out of a soup that was exceptionally delicious. Ji Za told Wu Wangfucha about this discovery, and after tasting it, Fucha greatly appreciated it, ordered it to be listed as a tribute, and gave it the name "Ulva Cai".
Over time, the fame of Ulva gradually spread. By the time of the Western Han Dynasty, Ulva had become an important specialty in the south of the Yangtze River. At that time, literati and writers often mentioned Ulva in their poems, associating it with the beautiful scenery of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. For example, Cao Zhi, a writer in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, wrote in "Luo Shen Fu": "The floating fish rides with a police ride, Ling Bo takes a slight step, and Rosa rolls with wind." The "sha" here refers to the lettuce, which shows that it has become one of the iconic plants in the waters of the south of the Yangtze River at that time.
In the Tang and Song dynasties, the status of Ulva reached its peak. It is not only the object of the chanting of the literati, but also the delicacy of the royal family and nobles. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in "Remembering Jiangnan": "The sea bass soup with lettuce is half sold in spring." This not only depicts the beautiful scenery of spring in Jiangnan, but also shows the important position of Ulva in the food culture at that time.
The Song Dynasty was the heyday of Ulva culture. The literati of the time not only loved to taste Ulva but also associated it with homesickness. The famous allusion to "Thoughts of Bass" originated at this time. When Zhang Han, a famous scholar of the Jin Dynasty, was an official in Luoyang, he remembered the lettuce and sea bass in his hometown because he saw the autumn breeze rising, and finally resigned and returned. This story has been widely circulated, and the "thoughts of the perch" has also become an allusion to the homesickness of later generations.
It is worth mentioning that the cultivation and picking of Ulva is also a skill. The ancients found that if the water is deep, the stem is fat and the leaves are few, and if the water is shallow, the stem is thin and the leaves are many. Therefore, the cultivation of Ulva requires careful control of the water level. Picking is especially particular, and it needs to be carried out in the early morning when the dew is not dry, so as to keep the fresh and tender lettuce. These skills are the result of long-term practice by the ancients, reflecting the profound understanding and wisdom of the Chinese nation towards nature.
With the change of the times, the main production areas of Ulva are also changing. Originally, the area around Taihu Lake was the main production area of Ulva weed. Later, with the change of water quality, West Lake, Jianhu Lake and other places also became famous production areas of Ulva cabbage. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Ulva cuisine of Hangzhou's West Lake was even more famous and became the leader of the royal tribute.
By the Ming Dynasty, Ulva had become a symbol of elegance and profound cultural heritage. Not only did it appear at royal banquets, but it was also often used as a diplomatic gift. It was in this context that Empress Dowager Sun chose Ulva as an important dish to welcome Zhu Qizhen's return. This not only reflects her longing for her son, but also symbolizes her prayer for peace and tranquility.
The place of Ulva in Chinese culture goes far beyond an ordinary ingredient. It is not only a delicacy, but also a symbol of rich cultural connotation. From ancient times to the present, Ulva has left a deep imprint in literature, art, philosophy and other fields, and has become an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture.
In literature, Ulva is often used to symbolize purity, elegance, and otherworldly qualities. Yu Xin, a poet of the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty, wrote in the poem "Yong Chun": "The place where the herb is born, and the clear waves cannot be touched. "The lettuce here is depicted as a noble thing that grows in a quiet place, unpolluted by the world. This kind of imagery was widely used in the literary creation of later generations, and became the spiritual realm pursued by literati and scholars.
In addition to symbolizing nobility, Ulva is often used to express longing for one's hometown. The aforementioned "Thoughts of the Perch" is a typical example. This allusion originated from the story of Zhang Han, a famous scholar in the Jin Dynasty, and was later widely used to describe homesickness. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in "Remembering Jiangnan": "Where is the sunset township, the Yanbo River makes people sad." Although the poem does not directly mention Ulva cabbage, the imagery of "Yanbo River" is closely related to the growing environment of Ulva and hints at the poet's longing for his hometown in the south of the Yangtze River.
The relationship between Ulva and Jiangnan culture is inseparable. In the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River, Ulva is not only a common ingredient, but also an important part of the local culture. A good example of this is the "Ulva Perch Pavilion" commonly found in Suzhou gardens. These buildings named after Ulva are not only places to taste food, but also cultural spaces for literati to write poems and paintings and express their feelings.
In the art of painting, Ulva is also often used as a subject. The Southern Song Dynasty painter Ma Yuan's "Picture of Ulva Vegetables" is a famous work. The painting depicts the scene of a pond where Ulva grows, reflecting people's aesthetic concept and interest in life at that time. This painting is not only an excellent work of art, but also a vivid portrayal of Jiangnan culture.
Ulva also has a unique place in traditional Chinese philosophy. The emphasis on "quiet and non-action" in Taoist thought coincides with the characteristics of Ulva growing in clear waters. Therefore, Ulva is often used as a metaphor for self-cultivation and transcendence from the world. Zhu Xi, a famous physicist in the Song Dynasty, once used Ulva as a metaphor to expound his philosophical thoughts.
In folklore, Ulva also has its own unique status. Legend has it that the Ulva of West Lake is a water plant incarnated by the White Lady, symbolizing the unswerving loyalty of love. This legend not only adds to the romance of Ulva but also reflects the people's yearning for beautiful love.
The status of Ulva in food culture is self-evident. "Ulva soup perch" is not only a famous dish, but also a manifestation of a life attitude. It represents the pursuit of quality of life and the cherishing of natural deliciousness. In ancient times, being able to taste fresh Ulva often meant a leisurely state of life.
It is worth noting that the cultural significance of Ulva has also changed in different historical periods. In times of war and turmoil, Ulva is often used to symbolize the yearning for a peaceful life. In times of peace and prosperity, Ulva is more regarded as a symbol of enjoying life.
In the Ming Dynasty, the cultural significance of Ulva reached new heights. It was not only the object of the chanting of the literati, but also an important element of political life. The lettuce soup at the court banquet is not only a delicacy, but also a symbol of peace and prosperity, national peace and security.
It was in this cultural context that Empress Dowager Sun chose Ulva to entertain Zhu Qizhen, who had just returned from the tiger's mouth. It's not just a food treat, it's a cultural comfort. Ulva carries a prayer for peace, a cherishing of family reunions, and a hope for a better life in the future.
The culinary art of Ulva is a wonderful flower in Chinese food culture, which not only embodies the essence of Chinese cooking, but also is a skill that needs to be carefully studied. The traditional method of making Ulva soup is complex and exquisite, and each step contains the wisdom of the ancients and the pursuit of food.
First of all, the picking of lettuce is a science. According to the "Wu Di Ji", the best time to pick is in the early morning when the dew is not dry. At this time, the lettuce is tender and juicy, and the taste is the best. When picking, use a special bamboo tube to gently uproot the lettuce to avoid damaging its delicate stems and leaves. After picking, the lettuce needs to be put in clean water immediately to keep it fresh, otherwise it will quickly lose its unique taste.
The production process of Ulva soup is even more exquisite. First of all, the lettuce should be carefully washed to remove impurities and old leaves. Then put it in boiling water and blanch it slightly, this step needs to be well timed, too long will cause the lettuce to lose its freshness, too short will not remove the green and astringent taste of the lettuce. After blanching, the lettuce needs to be cooled immediately in ice water to maintain its crisp and tender texture.
The key to making the custard is the choice of soup base. Traditionally, Ulva soup often uses chicken or duck broth as a soup base. This is because the poultry soup base brings out the flavor of the lettuce without masking its own flavor. The soup base needs to be boiled for a long time to remove the grease and retain the essence.
In the cooking process, control of the heat is crucial. After the lettuce is put into the pot, it needs to be simmered slowly, so that the lettuce can fully absorb the flavor of the soup while maintaining its own texture. The simmering time is usually about 15 minutes, too long will cause the lettuce to lose its tenderness, and too short will not be able to fully absorb the flavor.
The combination of Ulva and other ingredients is also a science. In addition to the traditional chicken soup and duck soup, Ulva is often paired with fish, shrimp and other aquatic products. For example, "Ulva sea bass soup" is a famous Jiangnan dish. The freshness of the sea bass and the fragrance of the lettuce complement each other to create a unique taste. In addition, Ulva can also be combined with tofu, egg white, and other ingredients to create a variety of dishes with unique flavors.
In the court dishes, the application of Ulva has reached the point of perfection. The Ming Dynasty court recipe "Recipes for Drinking and Serving" recorded a variety of Ulva recipes, including "Ulva soup" and "Ulva Xian". These dishes are not only meticulously crafted in terms of cooking techniques, but also in their presentation and decoration to reflect the royal dignity.
Ulva is not only delicious and delicious, but its nutritional value and medicinal effects were also valued by the ancients. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica", Ulva is "sweet in taste, flat in nature, and non-toxic", and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling. Therefore, Ulva is not only a delicacy, but also regarded as a medicinal food. In ancient times, Ulva was often used to treat symptoms such as summer heat and indigestion.
The regional characteristics of Ulva cooking are also worth mentioning. The Jiangnan region is the main production area of Ulva cuisine, so a unique culinary culture of Ulva has been formed. Suzhou's "Taihu Lake Ulva Cuisine" and Hangzhou's "West Lake Ulva Cuisine" have their own characteristics, reflecting the eating habits and cultural traditions of different regions. For example, Suzhou people like to pair Ulva with caviar to make "Ulva Caviar Soup"; The people of Hangzhou prefer to match Ulva with ham to make "Ulva ham soup".
It is worth mentioning that the cooking of Ulva is not only a skill, but also an attitude to life. In ancient times, being able to taste well-cooked Ulva soup often meant a leisurely state of life. Therefore, the cooking of Ulva has also become a symbol of the art of living.
In the Ming Dynasty, the culinary art of Ulva reached new heights. The palace chefs continued to innovate and develop a variety of new Ulva dishes. For example, "shredded chicken soup with Ullva" was a dish that was loved by the Ming Dynasty royal family. This dish perfectly combines the fragrance of Ulva with the deliciousness of chicken, fully demonstrating the exquisite culinary art of the Ming Dynasty.
It was in this context that Empress Dowager Sun chose Ulva to entertain the returning Zhu Qizhen. This not only shows her love for her son, but also shows the importance that the royal family attaches to the culinary arts. Ulva soup is both a delicacy and a cultural symbol that conveys prayers for peace and tranquility.
Empress Dowager Sun's act of preparing Ulva soup for Zhu Qizhen ostensibly appears to be a mother's love for her returning son, but in fact it contains multiple layers of deep meaning, reflecting the complex political situation and subtleties of court life in the Ming Dynasty.
First of all, the choice of Ulva soup reflects Empress Dowager Sun's concern for Zhu Qizhen's physical condition. Zhu Qizhen had just returned from the Tumubao Incident, and had experienced a long journey and hardships, and was physically and mentally exhausted. Ulva is not only light and easy to digest, but also has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling. Empress Dowager Sun chose this dish, which can not only soothe Zhu Qizhen's tired body and mind, but also help him regulate his body and restore his vitality.
Secondly, the choice of lettuce soup also reflects Empress Dowager Sun's deep understanding of Zhu Qizhen's political situation. After the Tumubao Incident, Zhu Qizhen's throne was occupied by his younger brother Zhu Qiyu. At this time, although Zhu Qizhen returned safely, his political status was already different. As a representative ingredient of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River, its elegant and refined characteristics symbolize the character of transcending the world. Empress Dowager Sun hinted that Zhu Qizhen should keep a clear head and handle the current complex political situation cautiously.
Moreover, the choice of Ulva soup also reflects Empress Dowager Sun's expectations for Zhu Qizhen's future. Grown in clear waters, it symbolizes purity and flawlessness. In this way, Empress Dowager Sun pinned her hopes on Zhu Qizhen to wash away the shame of the failure of the Tumubao Revolution and re-establish her prestige. At the same time, the growing environment of Ulva also implies that Zhu Qizhen should stay away from dirt and maintain a clean character in order to win the hearts of the people.
It is worth noting that Empress Dowager Sun chose to prepare the Ulva soup for Zhu Qizhen herself, rather than handing it over to the palace cook, which is also quite meaningful. In the court of the Ming Dynasty, it was extremely rare for the Empress Dowager to cook herself. This move not only reflects Empress Dowager Sun's deep affection for Zhu Qizhen, but also conveys an important message to the courtiers: although Zhu Qizhen is no longer the emperor of the dynasty, he is still the biological son of the Empress Dowager and still enjoys a high status.
In addition, the process of making the custard also has political implications. Ulva needs to be carefully selected, carefully cleaned, and moderately blanched, and this process is just like governing the country, which requires careful selection of talents, elimination of traitors, and moderate governance. Through this seemingly simple dish, Empress Dowager Sun conveyed the way of governing the country to Zhu Qizhen.
In the political context of the time, this move of the Empress Dowager Sun also played a role in appeasing the courtiers. After the change of Tumubao, the people in the court were panicked, and they were both happy and worried about the return of Zhu Qizhen. Empress Dowager Sun entertained Zhu Qizhen with a vegetable soup, which on the one hand showed her support for Zhu Qizhen, and on the other hand, it also sent a signal of reconciliation to the courtiers, suggesting that Zhu Qizhen's return would not cause new political turmoil.
This move by Empress Dowager Sun also reflects her superb political wisdom. She chose to entertain Zhu Qizhen as a mother, rather than as the queen mother, which not only avoided the suspicion of direct involvement in politics, but also subtly expressed her position. This kind of flexible political maneuver can be described as unique in the court politics of the Ming Dynasty.
It is worth mentioning that Empress Dowager Sun's choice of the dish of Ulva soup also has a layer of historical significance. According to historical records, Ulva was one of the favorite dishes of Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. Empress Dowager Sun entertained Zhu Qizhen with this dish, which was also to remind him not to forget the ancestral foundation, to take the ancestors as an example, and strive to revitalize the Ming Dynasty.
From a broader historical perspective, Empress Dowager Sun's move also reflected the political ecology of the mid-Ming Dynasty. After the Tumubao Change, the national strength of the Ming Dynasty was greatly weakened, and internal and external troubles continued. In this case, every move in the court could affect the overall situation of the country. Empress Dowager Sun defuses the political crisis with a home-cooked dish, showing the unique role of women in court politics.
In general, Empress Dowager Sun's seemingly simple act of preparing Uvascul soup for Zhu Qizhen actually contains rich political, cultural and historical connotations. It is not only a mother's love for her son, but also a politician's grasp of the situation, and a microcosm of an era. This bowl of lettuce soup not only nourished Zhu Qizhen's body, but also pointed out the direction of his future.
This seemingly ordinary dish has had a profound impact on Zhu Qizhen, not only giving him comfort and inspiration on a personal level, but also providing guidance for his future decisions and actions on a political level.
First of all, the lettuce soup gave Zhu Qizhen physical nourishment. After experiencing the hardships and hardships of the Tumubao Change, Zhu Qizhen's physical condition is not as good as before. The light and easy-to-digest properties of the lettuce soup are just right for his tired body. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty", after tasting the Ulva vegetable soup cooked by Empress Dowager Sun, Zhu Qizhen's mental state improved significantly, which provided him with the necessary physical support for the subsequent response to the complex political situation.
Secondly, the lettuce soup gave Zhu Qizhen spiritual comfort. From being captured to escaping and then returning, Zhu Qizhen experienced a huge psychological gap. Empress Dowager Sun, as a mother, personally prepared this home-cooked dish for him, which undoubtedly gave him great comfort. This kind of love from relatives helped Zhu Qizhen regain his confidence and courage. According to the "History of the Ming Palace", in the process of tasting the lettuce soup, Zhu Qizhen cried several times, which shows the deep impact of this dish on his emotions.
More importantly, the lettuce soup had a subtle impact on Zhu Qizhen's political wisdom. The elegant character of the Ulva made Zhu Qizhen think of the character of the ancient virtuous monarch. It is recorded in the "Ming Shilu" that soon after tasting the Ulva soup, Zhu Qizhen expressed to the courtiers his determination to "be pure in heart and have few desires, be diligent in government and love the people". This change is not unrelated to the incorruptible character symbolized by the lettuce soup.
The lettuce soup also affected Zhu Qizhen's way of employing people. The growing environment of Ulva requires clear waters, which makes Zhu Qizhen realize the importance of selecting talents and appointing talents. In his subsequent political career, Zhu Qizhen paid more attention to the selection of honest and honest officials. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty: The Biography of Zhu Qizhen", after Zhu Qizhen returned to power, he vigorously promoted the new policy of employing people, and reused a group of talented and honest people, such as Yu Qian and others. This concept of employing people is inseparable from the inspiration given to him by the lettuce soup.
In addition, the lettuce soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's policy policy. Ulva needs to be carefully cultivated to grow, which made Zhu Qizhen realize the difficulty of governing the country. He began to pay more attention to people's livelihood issues and implemented a series of policies to benefit the people. For example, he ordered tax reductions in some areas and strengthened water conservancy. The formulation of these policies can be traced back to the inspiration given to him by the lettuce soup.
The soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's attitude towards culture. As a Jiangnan specialty, Ulva represents the culture of the south. The experience of tasting Ulva soup made Zhu Qizhen pay more attention to the integration of northern and southern cultures. During his subsequent reign, he repeatedly ordered the compilation of local chronicles to encourage the preservation and development of local culture. This cultural policy laid the foundation for cultural prosperity in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
It is worth mentioning that the lettuce soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's diplomatic strategy. The soft nature of Ulva reminded Zhu Qizhen of the importance of soft diplomacy. After returning to power, he adopted a more flexible foreign policy, especially towards northern peoples such as the Mongols. Instead of taking a hard-line stance, he tried to resolve the border conflict through peace talks, among other things. This shift in diplomatic tactics eased the external pressure of the Ming Dynasty to a certain extent.
The vegetable soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's economic thinking. The rarity of Ulva made him realize the preciousness of resources. In his subsequent reign, Zhu Qizhen paid more attention to the sustainable development of the economy. He ordered the rectification of mineral exploitation to prevent overexploitation; At the same time, he also encouraged agricultural technology innovation to improve land efficiency. These economic policies can be seen as the inspiration given to him by the lettuce soup.
In addition, the Ulva soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's military strategy. Ulva grows in water, which reminds Zhu Qizhen of the importance of the water army. After returning to power, he strengthened the construction of the naval army, especially in the southeastern coastal areas. This move greatly enhanced the Ming Dynasty's maritime defense capabilities and laid the foundation for later defense against Japanese invasions.
Finally, the soup also influenced Zhu Qizhen's personal lifestyle. The experience of tasting the lettuce soup made him pay more attention to the simple life. According to the "Ming Palace Records", after returning to power, Zhu Qizhen greatly simplified the palace diet and reduced extravagance and waste. This simplicity not only saved the treasury expenditure, but also set a good example for the courtiers.
In general, a bowl of seemingly ordinary Ulva soup had an all-round impact on Zhu Qizhen. From personal life to national governance, from cultural attitudes to diplomatic strategies, the deep meaning of the soup continued to emerge in the second half of Zhu Qizhen's life. This dish not only nourished his body, but also nourished his mind and wisdom, becoming a small but important factor in influencing the course of Ming Dynasty history.