Soft-shelled turtle

Soft-shelled turtle

　　　Product name: Soft-shelled turtle

　　Product origin: Yaolin Town, Hangzhou

　　Product characteristics: The soft-shelled turtle is of a cold nature and not suitable for those who are yang-deficient or easily feel cold.

　　Product ingredients: Contains a variety of nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

　　Product efficacy: Regular consumption of soft-shelled turtle can help lower cholesterol and is an ideal supplement for preventing arteriosclerosis. It has beneficial health effects for patients with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Recent studies have also found that soft-shelled turtles have anti-cancer properties and can enhance the body’s immune system. However, they are not suitable for the elderly, the weak, or those suffering from long-term illness, yin-deficiency with stomach cold, poor appetite, indigestion, gout, hyperthyroidism, or impaired liver and kidney function.

　　Product introduction: Yaolin Town is a civilized township in Hangzhou, an advanced unit in comprehensive social governance, a strong education township in Hangzhou, a sanitary township in Zhejiang Province, and a green small town in Zhejiang Province. Currently, the town ranks first in turtle farming scale within the Hangzhou area and first in farming efficiency across the province. The Yaolin Town government has formulated the "Yaolin Town Turtle Farming Development Plan" to continue guiding and supporting the industry, introducing a series of preferential policies to encourage and support the development of the characteristic turtle economy, aiming to double the total farming volume by 2001, accelerate the creation of a modern turtle farming park, and establish Yaolin Town as the hometown of turtle farming in Zhejiang Province.

　　Product anecdote: The phrase “to dip one’s finger in the sauce,” meaning to take an undeserved share or meddle in something, originates from the Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), specifically the fourth year of Duke Xuan’s reign. During the Spring and Autumn period, one day, Prince Song and Zijia went to see Duke Ling of Zheng. Just as they were about to enter the palace gate, Prince Song suddenly stopped, raised his right hand, and said with a smile to Zijia, “Look!” Zijia looked at Prince Song’s hand puzzled, noticing his index finger twitching. He shook his head, then stretched out his own right hand—but his index finger didn’t move. “Anyone can do that!” he said. Prince Song laughed and said, “Do you think I’m making my finger twitch? No, it's moving on its own. If you don’t believe me, take another look!” Zijia observed carefully for a while, then moved his own finger. Indeed, Prince Song’s finger was twitching differently from his. Prince Song nodded triumphantly and said, “It seems we’re in for a treat today. Whenever my finger moves like this, I always get to taste something delicious!” Zijia was half-convinced. Upon entering the palace, they found the chef chopping up a large, already cooked soft-shelled turtle. The turtle was unusually big, a gift from a Chu State emissary to Duke Ling of Zheng. Seeing how large the turtle was and that it could be shared with many, Duke Ling decided to distribute pieces among the ministers to let them try it. Zijia couldn’t help but give Prince Song a thumbs-up. Prince Song grinned and shook his head. Noticing their improper behavior, Duke Ling frowned and asked, “What are you laughing about?” Zijia recounted what had happened outside the palace gate. Duke Ling murmured vaguely, “Oh, is it really that accurate?” and said no more. After a while, the ministers arrived. The large chopped turtle was placed in a ding (a bronze cooking vessel used at the time), and the chef served it in bowls—first to Duke Ling, then to the various ministers. Duke Ling took a bite and praised, “Delicious!” gesturing for everyone to eat. Everyone began to enjoy it heartily. But Prince Song sat there dumbfounded. There was nothing on the table before him. Clearly, this had been arranged by Duke Ling. Prince Song was utterly embarrassed, his face flushing and paling alternately. He looked at Duke Ling, who was enjoying his meal and chatting and laughing with the ministers, seemingly paying no attention to him at all. Then he glanced at Zijia, who was also eating with gusto and even making faces at him. Unable to bear it any longer, Prince Song suddenly stood up, walked over to the large ding, dipped his finger in, tasted the flavor, and then strode out. (Excerpted from Idiom Origins)