Chapter 121: The Legend Recounted [Second Update]

When Fang Nian was preparing this West Lake Vinegar Fish, she had actually looked it up thoroughly. In this world, there is indeed a lake located where West Lake would be, but it is not called West Lake—it’s named Ming Lake. Therefore, West Lake Vinegar Fish simply does not exist here.

However, since there was no better reference, there was no way to verify whether Fang Nian’s words were true or false, which allowed her to weave her story more freely.

“In fact, this West Lake once existed in the Zhejiang region during ancient times. Its total area exceeded 40 square kilometers, with a watershed area over 20 square kilometers, and the lake surface itself spanned as much as 5 to 6 square kilometers. Its vastness was truly unprecedented.”

“Of course, beyond its size, West Lake’s geographical location and ecological environment were also exceptional. The lake is surrounded by mountains on the south, west, and north sides. Within the lake, the Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Yang Gong Causeway, and Zhao Gong Causeway segment the water into several sections. The lake’s shape is nearly elliptical, with a relatively flat bottom and an average depth of about three meters.”

“Moreover, the lake’s natural surface water sources include four streams: Jinsha Stream, Longhong Stream, Chishan Stream, and Changqiao Creek. Due to its location at the southeastern edge of the Chinese hills and the northern boundary of the subtropical zone, the annual solar radiation ranges between 100 and 110 kcal per square centimeter, with sunlight lasting between 1,800 and 2,100 hours.”

“Because of this, the lake is extraordinarily rich in aquatic life, producing fish that are exceptionally plump and tender, with a remarkably smooth texture upon tasting. It can be said that these are pure wild fish, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.”

At this point, Fang Nian’s expression softened with a touch of melancholy.

“However, due to a great disaster and human destruction, West Lake has long since vanished. Sunshine has become a luxury. So today, although the grass carp we eat is carefully selected, its taste still falls short.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions darkened noticeably. Indeed, the great disaster had brought immense changes to the world. The fact that they could still sit here and enjoy a delicious meal was already a stroke of good fortune.

Seeing that she had stirred their emotions, Fang Nian continued to the main point.

“Well then, let’s talk about West Lake Vinegar Fish. I believe everyone knows vinegar fish—it’s a very important cooking method in Zhejiang cuisine. West Lake Vinegar Fish is an upgraded version of this technique. Its flavor is fresh and delicious, with a rich vinegar aroma. It has long been praised in ancient times as a must-eat dish when visiting West Lake.”

“There was even a poem written for this dish: ‘Anchored by the lakeside at Five Willows Residence, a fresh fish caught during the feast. The sour flavor is best in silver-scaled knife fish; carp and bream can never compare.’ Beyond the vast, shimmering waves of the West Lake flows not only millennia of history but also a beautiful legend about West Lake Vinegar Fish.”

“It is said that long ago, there were two brothers surnamed Song, both learned men well-versed in literature, who lived reclusively by West Lake and made a living by fishing. Nearby lived a local bully, known for his arrogance and tyranny. One day, this bully was touring West Lake and saw a woman washing silk by the shore. Struck by her beauty, he wanted to claim her for himself.”

“So the bully sent people to investigate her identity and eventually discovered she was the wife of the elder Song brother. He then schemed to kill the elder brother. The evil act enraged the Song family’s uncle and aunt, who together petitioned the local authorities, seeking justice and demanding punishment for the bully.”

“But what they did not expect was that the officials had long been colluding with the bully. Not only did they refuse to accept the complaint, but they also beat the couple and drove them out of the government office.”

At this point, Qian Xiaoxiao clenched her fists so tightly that she slammed them on the table in anger.

“Damn these corrupt officials.”

Wei Jin, being an official himself, had witnessed such collusion between the powerful and the weak many times. Hearing Qian Xiaoxiao’s words, he instinctively looked at her. Their eyes met, and Qian Xiaoxiao, realizing the awkwardness, quickly chuckled and said, “Haha... Director Wei, don’t be nervous. I’m talking about the corrupt officials in the story, not you.”

Everyone quietly chuckled, and Fang Nian silently tagged Qian Xiaoxiao as a “hardcore earnest type.”

Seeing everyone engaged, Fang Nian continued.

“After returning home, the sister-in-law urged the younger brother to pack and flee quickly to avoid the bully’s revenge. The brother had no choice but to heed her advice. As the saying goes, a true hero avoids short-term loss—preserve the green hills to have firewood in the future. So they planned to leave under the cover of night.”

“Before leaving, the sister-in-law cooked a bowl of fish, adding sugar and vinegar with a unique method. The flavor was strangely sweet and sour but incredibly delicious. The brother asked why the fish was prepared that way today, and the sister-in-law said the sweetness and sourness were to remind him never to forget how his brother died. If his future life was sweet, he must not forget the suffering of the common people nor the bitterness of his sister-in-law’s resentment. The brother was deeply moved, cried as he ate the fish, and carried his sister-in-law’s wishes with him.”

“Later, the brother studied hard, achieved success, and returned to Hangzhou to avenge his brother’s death by punishing the bully and the corrupt official. But by then, the sister-in-law had already fled and was nowhere to be found.”

“Later still, once when the brother attended a banquet, he tasted a fish cooked exactly like the one his sister-in-law made before he left. Curious, he inquired who made it, only to discover it was his sister-in-law’s handiwork.”

“It turned out that after he left, to avoid the bully’s harassment, the sister-in-law had changed her identity and worked secretly as a cook in the government kitchen. The brother was overjoyed to find her. With his revenge complete and no desire for an official career, he resigned and took his sister-in-law home to resume their simple fishing life.”

“Eventually, someone who tasted the dish was inspired to write a poem on the wall of the restaurant: ‘Dancing in skirts and wooden clogs, buying drunkenness in the green sunlight, ascending the pavilion; countless boats sail before the door, half returning from the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Why seek Zhang Han’s perch? The fish’s flavor speaks of West Lake; thanks to your perfect seasoning, one recognizes Sister Song of old.’ The last line refers to the legend of West Lake Vinegar Fish.”

When Fang Nian finished, everyone seemed reluctant to leave the story’s enchanting embrace. They had never imagined such a beautiful and moving legend lay behind this simple dish.

Wan Feng was the first to applaud enthusiastically. He was truly captivated by the younger brother’s carefree spirit—pursuing his goal of avenging his brother, then willingly relinquishing fame and returning to a humble life. If only he could be so unburdened.

A truly stirring tale, indeed.