Nangong Soybeans

Nangong Soybeans

　　  Soybeans, also known as soya beans, originated in China, as can be proven by a wealth of ancient Chinese texts. In “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji), compiled by Han historian Sima Qian (145–93 BC), the first chapter titled “The Basic Annals of the Five Emperors” states: “The Flame Emperor sought to subdue the feudal lords, but they all turned to the Yellow Emperor. The Yellow Emperor then cultivated virtue, strengthened his army, regulated the five elements, grew the five grains, and brought peace to the people...” Sima Qian also wrote in Volume 27 of Shiji: “From Pu to Xia Pu, there are beans (shu),” indicating that beans were already being cultivated during the time of the Yellow Emperor. Zhu Shaohou, in the editor’s preface to “A History of Ancient China,” noted the economic and cultural development during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1100 BC): “The main crops mentioned in the oracle bone inscriptions include millet, sorghum, foxtail millet, wheat (barley), wheat (common), millet (broomcorn), rice, and beans (soybeans).” Bu Mohua pointed out: “In China, the Shang Dynasty prior to 1000 BC had oracle bone script, though the records were very limited. Among the crops, those identified include millet, sorghum, beans, wheat, rice, and mulberry—crops that were the primary staples for people’s livelihoods at the time.” Yan Kejun, in his compiled work “Complete Prose of the Pre-Qin, Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Six Dynasties” (Volume 1), stated: “Soybeans grow under the locust tree. They come from the valley of Ju Stone. They bloom in ninety days and ripen in sixty, taking a total of one hundred and fifty days to mature, and should not be planted in the year of Mao.”

　　　　    China’s earliest collection of poetry, the “Book of Songs” (Shijing), contains over 300 poems from the Western Zhou Dynasty. Among them, the term “shu” (beans) is mentioned multiple times. According to the “Book of Songs,” soybean cultivation in China dates back about 3,000 years. The text “Xia Xiao Zheng,” which describes the Xia and Shang periods, states: “In the fifth month, at the first watch, when the Heart Star is at the center of the sky—the Heart Star refers to Antares—it is the time to plant millet and beans.”