Ancient book of rites records:? Governors don't kill cows, doctors don't kill sheep, scholars don't kill dogs, and Shu Ren doesn't eat treasures for no reason. ? It is said that the hierarchy greatly restricts people from eating meat, and at the same time, the productivity is low, so there is not so much meat to eat. The status of horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs and tapirs is also different, corresponding to the different treatment of social classes. "Mandarin? Chu language:? The son of heaven eats too fast, and there are cattle and sheep. The prince ate cows, the Qing dynasty ate sheep, doctors ate tapirs, scholars ate fried fish, and Shu Ren ate vegetables. ? It is said that only the emperor can eat the meat of pigs, cattle, sheep and others can only eat corresponding things according to their social status.
In ancient times, cattle and horses could not be eaten casually. As an important means of transportation and strategic materials, horses will not be easily eaten unless they are cornered or hold large-scale sacrificial activities. Cattle, as a necessity in ancient farming society, also played a very important role. In the Han dynasty, cattle were listed on the list of prohibited slaughter, which was very strict. Killing cattle is punishable by death. During the Shuihu Song Dynasty, the criminal law of the Song Dynasty stipulated that those who killed officials and privately owned cattle were punished for one and a half years. ? Therefore, there is no beef that can be eaten casually in general pubs.
Before the Song Dynasty, it was difficult for ordinary people to eat meat. Just eat it once a year. However, in the Song Dynasty, the people gradually became rich. At that time, a large number of sheep were sold to the Central Plains, and mutton became the overlord of the dining table. Su Dongpo, a gourmet at that time, vigorously promoted pork, so that pork that was not liked by everyone was frequently served on the table. But beef is still scarce and cannot be eaten easily.