Do you think Fan Zhongyan is still the chef?

There is a folk dish in Suzhou called Snow Red Bean Soup. This soup is delicious and economical. Let’s tell you the origin of this soup. It is said that Fan Zhongyan always spoke impartially, so his official career also had ups and downs. This time he was demoted to Yan'an, where the Song Dynasty and Xixia handed over, as the general soldier. This place is always uneasy because of the border. Song and Xixia are always changing back and forth between peace talks and wars, and the situation is very tense. The natural environment of this place is not very good either. Most of the "soil" is filled with yellow sand, making it impossible to grow farmers. When Fan Zhongyan took office, he brought four large bags with him. Others thought they were Mr. Fan's family property. In fact, they contained vegetables from all seasons, pens, ink, paper, inkstones, etc.

After Fan Zhongyan took office, he immediately ordered his soldiers to open up wasteland and divert water, and sow the seeds he brought in the fields. At the same time, he also guided the people to farm or join the army. In short, Fan Zhongyan worked hard to manage this land. Now Ansai, Taipingzhai, etc. were actually developed and established at this time. The emperor paid off his hard work. After two years of governance, Yan'an has gradually become prosperous, the people live and work in peace and contentment, the troops and horses are strong, and the border defenses are also strong. At this time, the leader of the Xixia Kingdom sent a letter to visit Yan'an. Fan Zhongyan was also very happy and thought this was a good opportunity for reconciliation between the two countries, so he wrote back and agreed. When the leader of the Xixia Kingdom came to Yan'an, officers, soldiers and people lined the roads to welcome him, with lanterns and colorful decorations. Fan Zhongyan's relatives also came out of the city to greet him.

After the Xixia leader and his party settled in, he said that this trip would not disturb the peace of the Song Dynasty, and would not cost the Song Dynasty money or food. In other words, the Xixia leader brought everything by himself this time. While the Xixia chefs were cooking, Fan Zhongyan discovered that when they were cooking the beef and mutton food that Xixia people traditionally loved, they were also cooking a kind of green vegetable, which was Xuelihong, which Xixia people also loved. Fan Zhongyan told the Xixia ruler that he liked to eat broad beans. In the past, they could only be eaten in the south, but now that the land in Yan'an has become fertile after treatment, broad beans can also be grown in Yan'an, and there are many cooking methods.

Fan Zhongyan continued to suggest that Xixia loves to eat snow red, and we locals in Yan'an love to eat broad beans. Now I suggest cooking the two ingredients together to see how they taste. The Xixia king readily agreed. So I stewed Xuelihong with broad bean wedges. Unexpectedly, the result was extremely delicious. Fan Zhongyan said, "Such delicious food is the result of combining Song Dynasty and Xixia into one. This is really two good things combined into one. Therefore, Song Dynasty and Xixia should live in peace, just like this dish. Wouldn't it be great?" The leader of the Xixia Kingdom clapped his hands and cheered. When Fan Zhongyan was on duty in Yan'an, the borders were stable and consolidated, the people were prosperous, and the diplomacy was harmonious. Later, Fan Zhongyan returned to Suzhou in his later years and brought Xuelihong vegetables back to Suzhou. The combination of Xuelihong and broad beans also spread to Jiangsu generations. , whenever future generations eat this dish, they all remember Fan Zhongyan.