Shoe-sole Fish

Shoe-sole Fish

　　Prince Fu Kang led troops on imperial orders to suppress a rebellion in the Fujian-Guangdong region. When he arrived in Huanggang, Raoping, the local magistrate Huang Xing hosted a banquet in his honor. As it was getting late and no precious delicacies could be found in time, they simply prepared tender and delicious “shoe-sole fish” for him. Since Huang Xing had not previously bribed the prince’s chief of staff, the chief took advantage of the situation. After the banquet, as Prince Fu Kang returned to camp, the chief remarked: “Your Excellency, the fish served at the banquet is called ‘coolie fish,’ a lowly dish eaten by bearers and laborers. For you, Magistrate Huang Xing has served this fish—it’s truly disrespectful!” The prince’s expression darkened upon hearing this, and he thought that once military affairs were concluded, he would teach Huang Xing a lesson.

　　When Huang Xing heard of this, he was momentarily terrified and at a loss. His intelligent and resourceful wife comforted him while suggesting: “I’ve heard that His Highness received an oral edict from Emperor Qianlong and will soon visit Cai Shen, a retired grand secretary from Emperor Qianlong’s court, in Zhangpu. It’s said that Lord Cai deeply despised sycophants like the chief of staff when he was in office. Why not write a letter right away and send it to his home, asking him to help resolve this?” Huang Xing found the idea sensible and acted immediately, dispatching a family member overnight to deliver the letter to the Cai residence in Zhangpu.

　　Several days later, Prince Fu Kang visited Cai Shen in Zhangpu. Having received Huang Xing’s letter, Cai Shen specially prepared a “shoe-sole fish” banquet to welcome the imperial envoy. All the dishes at the banquet were made from shoe-sole fish—some steamed raw, some braised, some pan-fried, some stewed lightly, and so on. Prince Fu Kang was visibly surprised. Cai Shen took the initiative to say: “Your Highness, may I ask why I have prepared this fish banquet to welcome you? Because this fish is called the ‘prosperity fish.’ Eating it ensures a lifetime of wealth and honor. In the past, whenever I went to take the imperial exams or assumed a new post, my mother would always serve me this fish—and sure enough, my career advanced steadily. Here, both officials and common folk regard this auspicious dish as a way to honor distinguished guests. Please feel free to eat your fill, and you’re sure to achieve victory.” Hearing this, the prince asked dubiously: “Then why do some say this fish is called ‘coolie fish,’ something only laborers eat?!” The chief of staff, who was standing nearby, turned pale with fright.

　　Convinced by Lord Cai’s words, Prince Fu Kang ate heartily. Soon after, he indeed quelled the rebellion in one fell swoop and believed it was all thanks to eating the “shoe-sole fish”! Upon returning to the capital, he exiled the chief of staff to Xinjiang for military service and recommended Huang Xing to Emperor Qianlong for appointment as Prefect of Chaozhou.