In the history of China, Shen Li was a respected writer and politician. His poetry is known as the "crown of Tang poetry", and his political talent has also made great contributions to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. However, one thing has been bothering people, and that is whether Li Shen really ate chicken tongue. There is no clear answer to this question, so let's uncover the historical truth.

The Legend of Li Shen Eating Chicken Tongue

The legend that Li Shen ate chicken tongue originated in the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, Shen Li saw the host bring a plate of roast chicken at the party, but he only ate the chicken's tongue. This behavior aroused the curiosity and doubts of other guests present. They all want to know why Li Shen only eats chicken tongues. Therefore, Li Shen explained that he only eats the chicken tongue, because it is the most precious part of the chicken, and other parts can be left to others.

This legend has been passed down to this day and has become the iconic image of Li Shen. But is this legend true? Let's explore it below.

Reveal the historical truth

Historically, the legend of Li Shen eating chicken tongue has not been clearly proved. Although there are many literary works describing this legend, these works only appeared after Li Shen's death. Therefore, we are not sure whether this legend is true or not.

However, according to some historical records, Li Shen was indeed a very thrifty person. He pays great attention to economy in his life and doesn't waste any money and food. Therefore, it is also possible that he only eats chicken tongues.

Besides, Shen Lijing often mentioned chicken tongue in his poems. He wrote in a poem: "Why should a chicken tongue be the most free in a fake house?" This sentence implies that chicken tongue is a very precious food, and Li Shen likes it very much.