Old Baquiao would leave Ji Ziying the next day, and Yun Zheng prepared a magnificent banquet to entertain him.
The main dish was a whole ox.
In the time of Emperor Zhenzong, killing cattle was punishable by exile.
However, during Emperor Renzong's reign, such strict rules were no longer enforced;beef could be consumed, but slaughtering work oxen was still considered inappropriate.Work oxen toiled their entire lives and ended up with a cruel fate, being stripped of their skin and flesh.
Such practices were repugnant to upright people, but Old Baquiao did not share this sentiment.
He believed that everything existed for human benefit, so he condoned the consumption of beef but refrained from eating it himself.He understood the underlying principles involved;whatever exists has its reasons.
Old Baquiao may not have known this naive dialectical principle, but he was well aware why slaughtering work oxen remained common despite laws against it.In Great Song, a work ox was worth eight thousand cash coins.
This low price was intended to encourage the widespread use of cattle as labor in farming.
However, beef was considered a delicacy, priced over a hundred cash per pound and often in short supply, leading to an imbalance between its high price and that of live cattle.
Private slaughter became common despite prohibitions.En el séptimo año del reinado de Daxing (1014 d.C.), el funcionario Kong Zongmin sugirió: "Los habitantes de Zhejiang consideran la carne de res como un manjar;unscrupulous individuals compete in slaughtering oxen.
When incidents arise, they are promptly arrested and punished.
Please release those without blame." Consequently, Emperor Zhenzong issued an edict stating that in all of Zhejiang's prefectures, if someone slaughtered cattle for food, unless it was to prepare a communal meal, the buyer would be pardoned.Old Baquiao knew these anecdotes well;he had judged countless cases involving the slaughter of work oxen.
He tolerated such practices but disapproved when officials engaged in them.
For temporary pleasure, one forgot about the cattle's contributions and merits—this was morally flawed.
Thus, seeing the ox hung on a rack being butchered, Old Baquiao felt some discontent towards Yun Zheng.Zhang Fangping, however, was delighted as he watched soldiers slaughter the ox.
He stood by with folded hands, advising the butchers to be careful with the blood.
To him, beef could be turned into an exquisite dish after mixing it with flour and seasoning.
This he had tasted in his youth and still remembered fondly.Seeing Old Baquiao's displeasure, Zhang Fangping chuckled and explained, "This is not a work ox;this is a dairy ox bought from the Tubo people.
It cannot be used for farming but serves only as meat.
The famous beef jerky from Sichuan Province was made from such cattle.
Brother Hiren today has good fortune to taste it.
Yun Zheng also excels in culinary arts, transforming simple food into something magical."Old Baquiao said with a frown, "Why not trade these useless animals for warhorses?"Zhang Fangping smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother Hiren, merchants are not officials;they seek profits.
If we solely ask for horses, the Tubo people won’t agree.
The number of warhorses is limited.
If we only want horses and not cattle, we’ll run out in no time.
They’re smart and wouldn’t just trade horses.Moreover, ox hides, horns, and tendons are essential materials for armor and bow making;trading them wouldn't be a loss."Yun Zheng, Zhou Tong, Wu Jie, and the others stood under the eaves watching Zhang Fangping negotiate with Old Baquiao.