Four-Hole Weili Carp

Four-Hole Weili Carp

The Four-Hole Weili Carp is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　In the Wei River, there lives a beautifully shaped and widely renowned "Four-Hole Weili Carp." The fish culture that has formed around the "Four-Hole Weili Carp" is as profound and far-reaching as the surging, meandering river.

　　　　When speaking of the "Four-Hole Weili Carp," people naturally think of that ancient legend. It is said that after Liu Bowen assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in founding the Ming Dynasty, he claimed to become a Taoist monk in order to find a place to live in seclusion. One day, he arrived at Xiashan in Changyi. There, he saw the Wei River rushing down from the south, winding around the mountain, with ancient pines towering on the mountain and clouds often rising from among them, giving the impression of entering a fairyland. Even more delightful was a natural cave on the sunny side of the mountain, perfect for living. Overjoyed, Bowen decided to settle down here.

　　　　One day, while watching fishermen catch fish by the Wei River, Liu Bowen noticed that they were only catching crucian carp, silver carp, catfish, and similar common species — nothing special. Suddenly, an idea struck him: such a paradise should have unique local produce. So, he rode a cloud up to the heavens. Arriving at the banks of the Heavenly River, he saw Jiang Ziya sitting there fishing. Liu Bowen approached and bowed deeply, recounting how he had left the capital, settled at Xiashan, and now sought a rare type of fish. Jiang Ziya pointed with his hand, and a golden fish leaped from the Heavenly River into his hands. At first, Bowen was delighted, but upon closer inspection, it was just a carp — nothing remarkable. Jiang Ziya seemed to read his thoughts and said, “This fish is indeed a carp, but not like those elsewhere. When you take it to the Wei River, you will see its uniqueness.” With that, he tossed the fish, which landed in the Wei River.

　　　　To thank Jiang Ziya for his kindness, Liu Bowen traveled around soliciting donations. With funds raised from local people, he built a grand and magnificent Temple of Jiang Ziya on the sunny side of Xiashan. On the day the temple was completed, Bowen specially went to the Wei River bank and asked fishermen to catch some carp for him to inspect. He noticed that all these carp had four nostrils — two large ones near the mouth and two slightly smaller ones farther away. All carp caught in the Wei River had four nostrils. From then on, the Wei River gained a treasure — the "Four-Hole Weili Carp."

　　　　The beautiful legend has added a magical aura to the "Four-Hole Weili Carp."

　　　　The Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong-era "Changyi County Annals" recorded: “Carp born in the Wei River have golden scales and delicious taste.” This is due to its growing conditions — the Wei River. With mountain springs converging at its source and stretching hundreds of miles, the riverbed is mostly sandy rock, thus “the spring water is fragrant and cool, the water clear over bright sand, nurturing creatures of exceptional freshness,” especially the carp of the Wei River. These carp also have four nostrils, strong foraging ability, fast growth and reproduction, and naturally delicious taste. After the construction of the Xiashan Reservoir in 1960, the reservoir became the main production site for carp, yielding up to 800,000 kilograms annually. Today, in the famous Xiashan Scenic Tourism Area, the “All-Carp Banquet” featuring Wei River carp, represented by the Weili Carp, has become a renowned local delicacy. The Wei River carp is not only listed as a premium freshwater fish for its tender, fresh meat, but also valued for its beautiful shape, golden scales, and pale red tail fins, giving it ornamental value as well.

　　　　The long-standing Wei River carp has been praised and celebrated by poets and scholars throughout history. In the past, Zheng Banqiao, one of the famed “Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou” and a celebrated poet, served as the magistrate of Weixian County. After tasting the delicious and tender Wei River carp, he spontaneously composed a poem: “A fine feast of exquisite flavors, of curious tales and wondrous bonds. Zheng Xie is fortunate to govern this precious land — I’d rather be a fisherman than an official.” In the early years of liberation, the renowned writer Jun Qing, who resided in Changyi for many years, described the Wei River on spring nights and the carp within it in his novel "Old Water Buffalo Grandpa": “At this time, the moon had just emerged over the plains, and the river surface shimmered with fish-scale-like silver light. The spring Wei River is gentle and serene. Golden carp occasionally leap out of the water, creating ripples of silver circles on the calm surface.” The People's Daily, when introducing the local specialty “Wei River Carp,” wrote: “The Wei River abounds in four-nostriled, golden-scaled carp. Any visitor who has toured the Xiashan Reservoir in the middle reaches of the Wei River never misses the chance to taste the Four-Hole Carp.”

　　　　In Changyi and even the Weifang region, carp are commonly served to honor distinguished guests. On special occasions, the homophonic association of carp (利, meaning “profit”) and fish (余, meaning “abundance”) leads people to regard carp as an auspicious symbol. Thus, whether in cities or rural areas, at weddings or funerals, carp is always present at important banquets. There is a saying: “No banquet is complete without carp.” Every Spring Festival, carp are also placed at the front of the offering table during ancestral worship in rural households, expressing reverence for ancestors.

　　　　The Wei River carp is not only essential in people’s material lives but has also become a symbol of good fortune and happiness in their spiritual and cultural lives. Paintings and calligraphy depicting carp leaping through the Dragon Gate are especially popular. Every Spring Festival, many families put up New Year pictures with phrases like “Prosperity with Abundance,” “Yearly Abundance,” or “Joyful Abundance” to celebrate the prosperity brought by reform and opening-up, highlighting today’s thriving scenes, and enhancing the festive atmosphere. Additionally, many food products and utensils use the “carp” as a trademark.