Barbarians Head: To please the Gods - A Story
August 6th 2008 02:41
The Chinese Olympic Games are just around the corner, and to celebrate as well as share the Chinese History, the Chinese Government had released a film called Red Cliff, based on the historical battles that had taken place during the Three Kingdom era. This movie is directed by John Woo, who also made such films as Broken Arrow, Face Off and M.I.2. Well personally I’ve been wanting to see this movie ever since they were planning to make it so it should be a very good movie. So what does all this have to do with food? Well we will have to meet one of the characters from the Three Kingdom period to learn more.
The Three Kingdom period was established around 200 A.D as a result of the decaying Han Dynasty, and the power struggles of the warlords for land, wealth and power. However three prominent warlords became successful in mustering territories, and thus created a tri-pod of power stabilising the turbulent country.
The most powerful of the three was Cao Cao, who had laid foundations for the establishment of the Kingdom of Wei in the upper north of China. The other successful warlord was Sun Quan, who inherited the foundations of a well built country from his brother who had died young while trying to gather his forces and territory. Due to the natural defenses of the river, Sun Quan's Kingdom of Wu meant that his territory was easy to defend.
Finally the third warlord was Liu Bei a direct descendant of Liu Bang, the founding Emperor of the Han dynasty, and thus claimed legitimate ownership to the throne and formed the Kingdom of Shu. Liu Bei was known as a merciful ruler and thus was loved by many citizens as well as having faithful and loyal ministers.
One such minister is Zhuge Liang, known as the Sleeping Dragon. Zhuge Liang was a very intelligent strategist who helped the Shu Kingdom win many decisive battles. Zhuge Liang was also a seer, a astrologer and an inventor. His ingenuity and cleverness had made the name Zhuge synonymous with high intelligence.
On his way back from the successful Southern campaign that quelled the rebellion of the Barbarian tribes, Zhuge Liang came across a raging river that barred them from returning home. All his soldiers were eager to return home after an arduous and long campaign, fearing that his army would lose vital morale he had asked the local Barbarian King who has now promised loyalty. It was revealed in the old days, the Barbarians would sacrifice 50 heads to the God of the river in order to stop the raging currents.
Zhuge Liang being a taoist was well aware of the cruel nature of war and its effects on his own life. Zhuge Liang had caused a lot of deaths during his Souther Campaign when he had used fire to trap the Barbarian army, and so he did not wish to increase any unnecessary deaths. He ordered his men to make 50 steam buns and make them into the shape of Barbarians Head, and threw into the river. Soon enough as that was done the river currents died down.
The bread was thus named Man Tou, which means Barbarians Head, and had became a major staple food in China. Next time I'll post the recipe.
Happy Eating.
The Three Kingdom period was established around 200 A.D as a result of the decaying Han Dynasty, and the power struggles of the warlords for land, wealth and power. However three prominent warlords became successful in mustering territories, and thus created a tri-pod of power stabilising the turbulent country.
The most powerful of the three was Cao Cao, who had laid foundations for the establishment of the Kingdom of Wei in the upper north of China. The other successful warlord was Sun Quan, who inherited the foundations of a well built country from his brother who had died young while trying to gather his forces and territory. Due to the natural defenses of the river, Sun Quan's Kingdom of Wu meant that his territory was easy to defend.
Finally the third warlord was Liu Bei a direct descendant of Liu Bang, the founding Emperor of the Han dynasty, and thus claimed legitimate ownership to the throne and formed the Kingdom of Shu. Liu Bei was known as a merciful ruler and thus was loved by many citizens as well as having faithful and loyal ministers.
One such minister is Zhuge Liang, known as the Sleeping Dragon. Zhuge Liang was a very intelligent strategist who helped the Shu Kingdom win many decisive battles. Zhuge Liang was also a seer, a astrologer and an inventor. His ingenuity and cleverness had made the name Zhuge synonymous with high intelligence.
On his way back from the successful Southern campaign that quelled the rebellion of the Barbarian tribes, Zhuge Liang came across a raging river that barred them from returning home. All his soldiers were eager to return home after an arduous and long campaign, fearing that his army would lose vital morale he had asked the local Barbarian King who has now promised loyalty. It was revealed in the old days, the Barbarians would sacrifice 50 heads to the God of the river in order to stop the raging currents.
Zhuge Liang being a taoist was well aware of the cruel nature of war and its effects on his own life. Zhuge Liang had caused a lot of deaths during his Souther Campaign when he had used fire to trap the Barbarian army, and so he did not wish to increase any unnecessary deaths. He ordered his men to make 50 steam buns and make them into the shape of Barbarians Head, and threw into the river. Soon enough as that was done the river currents died down.
The bread was thus named Man Tou, which means Barbarians Head, and had became a major staple food in China. Next time I'll post the recipe.
Happy Eating.
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