舌尖上的美食 第8期:玉蘭片湯 Yu Lan soup

Yu Lan soup (Bamboo shoots soup)

玉蘭片湯

This elegant name comes from a legend.

這道湯的雅稱來源於一個傳說故事。

During the reign of Emperor Jia Qing (A.D 1796-1821)in Qing dynasty, there lived a family named Guo in Yi Yang , Hunan Province, who were the descendents of the renowned General Guo Ziyi of the Tang dynasty. Guo Xin, the eldest son of this family, was skilled in martial arts and took service when he was young. He was a courageous warrior and won a lot of credits during campaigns and expeditions. Later, he was promoted to assistant minister of the war department.

清仁宗嘉慶（公元1796-1821年在位）年間，湖南益陽住着唐代名將郭子儀的後代郭氏一家。郭氏的長子郭信擁有一身好武藝，年輕力壯時就從軍，在隨軍征戰中立下了許多功勞，官升兵部侍郎。

Guo Xin was granted by Emperor Jia Qing to pay a home visit after promotion where he met and married a beautiful lady named Yu Lan. They were deeply in love with each other and led a sweet life. After Guo Xin left for office, Yu Lan stayed at home to take care of Guo’s elderly parents. During days of separation Yu Lan often asked people to take native products to Guo to convey her feeling of love.

升官後，嘉慶皇帝特許郭信回家探親，娶了個美麗賢淑的妻子叫玉蘭。兩人相親相愛，甜甜蜜蜜。後來郭信離湘，赴京上任，玉蘭留在益陽的家中，照顧郭信年邁的雙親。平時夫妻二人雖然不常見面，但玉蘭常託人帶一些家鄉的土產給郭信，所以恩愛之情並不衰減。

One winter, Yi Yang celebrated a bump harvest of bamboo sprouts. Yu Lan dried them under the sun and then had them taken to her husband. One day when Guo Xin was cooking bamboo soup at home he is told that the Emperor had arrived.

有一年冬天，益陽竹筍大豐收，玉蘭就將竹筍曬乾，捎往京城。郭信在京城的家中用筍乾煮食燒湯，正欲食之，恰逢門外來報：“皇上駕到！”

When Emperor Jia Qing stepped into the room he sniffed the fresh smell of the bamboo, then asked: “What great dish are you cooking my dear minister, I’d like some too.” Guo was embarrassed and said: “I was simply cooking soup with the bamboos my wife had sent me. How could it be any better than soups cooked in your majesty’s palace!” However, Emperor Jia Qing insisted and Guo Xin served the Emperor with the soup. His Majesty took a sip and praised very highly of it before discussing state affairs with Guo Xin. Upon leaving, knowing his Majesty was still attached to the soup, Guo Xin asked the emperor if he could have the honor to have the uncooked dried bamboos as tribute to His Majesty.

話音剛落，嘉慶已經踏入郭信前屋，只見他鼻子嗅了嗅，便道：“郭愛卿，什麼好吃的？別藏着了，也讓朕嘗一嘗吧！” 郭信不好意思地說：“這是微臣家中媳婦玉蘭捎來的竹筍，微臣只是草草將其切片，煮成湯喝，哪裏能跟皇宮裏的湯比呀？” 嘉慶堅持要嘗，郭信只好端了上來。嘉慶嚐了一口，發現滋味鮮美，海誇了一陣，然後才和郭信談正事。臨走時，嘉慶還對剛纔喝的那道湯戀戀不捨，郭信把未煮過的筍乾讓隨行太監帶回宮。

Emperor Jia Qing nodded and said: “Since the soup is made from the dried bamboo shoots of your wife Yu Lan, then we will name it after her.” Since then, the elegant name “Yu Lan soup” enjoyed an incessant national fame.

嘉慶點點頭道：“這湯既然是愛卿之妻玉蘭的筍乾所制，以後就管他叫玉蘭片湯吧。”從此，“玉蘭片湯”這一雅號就不脛而走，名揚天下。