Su Shi (January 8, 1037 - August 24, 1101), also known as Zizhan and Hezhong, was also known as Tieguan Taoist and Dongpo layman. He was known as Su Dongpo and Su Xian in the world. Han nationality, a native of Meishan, Meizhou (now part of Meishan City, Sichuan Province), and his ancestral home is Luancheng, Hebei Province. He was a writer, calligrapher and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty.

In the second year of Jiayou's reign (1057), Su Shi became a Jinshi. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, he served in Fengxiang, Hangzhou, Mizhou, Xuzhou, Huzhou and other places. In the third year of Yuanfeng (1080), he was demoted to the deputy envoy of Huangzhou Tuanlian due to the "Wutai Poetry Case".

After Zhezong of the Song Dynasty came to the throne, he served as a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, a bachelor of attendance, and a minister of the Ministry of Rites. He also went to Hangzhou, Yingzhou, Yangzhou, Dingzhou and other places. In his later years, he was demoted to Huizhou and Dan because of the New Party's rule. state. Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty was pardoned and returned to the north, but died of illness in Changzhou on the way. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty, he was given the posthumous title of "Wenzhong" as a posthumous gift to the Grand Master.

Extended information:

The origin of Dongpo Meat

Su Shi, a great writer in the Song Dynasty of my country, was demoted because his poems offended the imperial court. He went to Huangzhou, Hubei Province. After arriving in Huangzhou, he called himself "Dongpo layman".

"Layers" is the name given to Buddhists who live at home. Lay Buddhists believe in Buddhism, but they are not restricted by some Buddhist precepts. Therefore, although Su Shi, who calls himself "Dongpo Lay Buddhist", saw through the world of mortals and entered Buddhism, he can still eat meat. Although he had been a high official, he still loved good food, but he was not in the mood to go to restaurants, so he cooked by himself to relieve his loneliness and boredom.

Su Dongpo, who was born as a literati, was a talented man who loved calligraphy and painting. He wanted to cook delicious food and write and draw at the same time. In order to balance this, he stewed meat over a slow fire so that he could keep an eye on the heat and write at the same time. his articles or playing with his paintbrush. After many practices, he summed up the best cooking plan, which gave him endless fun.

During his stay in Huangzhou, Su Dongpo also wrote a poem about "eating pork", explaining his experience and state of mind at that time:

Huangzhou has good pork, The price is like dung.

The rich refuse to eat, and the poor do not know how to cook.

Slow down the fire and use less water. When the fire is sufficient, it will be beautiful.

Get up and have a bowl every day, and you will be so full that you don’t care.

Due to the spread of the "pork-eating" poem "Su Dongpo", his unique method of stewing meat was also favored by people. People named it after him, and "Dongpo Pork" became popular. Down to this day, it is still loved by diners.

Reference materials:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Su Shi