“With the bamboo clappers, hey, we won’t praise anything else. Let’s praise this traditional delicacy, Goubuli steamed buns. What’s so good about these Goubuli steamed buns? They have thin skin, large filling, eighteen folds, just like a flower!”
This Tianjin clapper talk is about Tianjin’s famous Goubuli steamed buns, a 150-year-old Chinese time-honored brand…
So, get ready to drool~ Today we’re going to tell you the story of “Goubuli” steamed buns:
It is said that in those days, there was a barracks opposite the “Goubuli” bun shop. The commander of the barracks had been thinking about giving a gift to Yuan Shikai, the Governor-General of Zhili, but what should he give? He wanted to give something novel and sincere. After thinking about it, he suddenly had an idea: I’ve got it, let’s give “Goubuli” steamed buns!
The next day, the commander bought several catties of buns and sent them to Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai, who received the gift, was both amused and surprised: “It’s rare to give buns as a gift.” But he was shocked after taking a bite and said: “It’s so delicious. I’ve eaten buns for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve eaten such a delicious one. I didn’t believe it when I heard the Goubuli hawking before, but this time I’m really convinced.”
And after Yuan Shikai tasted the “Goubuli” buns, it happened to be the birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi. From the emperor’s concubines to the civil and military officials, they all came to celebrate and pay their respects. However, what was unexpected was that the Empress Dowager Cixi actually turned away everyone and refused to see them. Those who came to celebrate were at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Cixi’s nightmare, no heart to celebrate her birthday
It turned out that the night before, Cixi had a nightmare, and she woke up early in the morning with cold sweat and cold hands and feet. At this time, Li Lianying, the most favored eunuch, came in to pay his respects. Seeing that the Empress Dowager was dejected, he probably wouldn’t have thought anything was wrong on other days, but today was her birthday, a day of great joy, and this kind of situation was not a good thing. So he stepped forward and cautiously asked: “Is the Empress Dowager not feeling well? Your complexion doesn’t look good.” Cixi said: “It would be better if I were not feeling well, it’s much worse than this.”
Li Lianying was startled and said: “The Empress Dowager might as well speak out, and the servant is willing to share your worries.” Cixi sighed and said: “Last night I had a very ominous dream, I dreamed that a heavenly dog was eating the moon.” Hearing Cixi say this, Li Lianying didn’t know how to respond for a moment. Why? It turned out that, according to the saying of that time, the moon was a yin thing, representing women, and on the night before her birthday, Cixi had such a dream, which was a punishment from heaven for her.
“Goubuli” wins Cixi’s favor by its name alone
At this juncture, the eunuchs outside reported: “The ministers have come to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.” How could Cixi not be angry: “Okay, I know, let them all go back.” Then someone reported again, saying: “Prince Gong came to pay his respects and sent a jade old longevity star.” Cixi was even more angry and said: “Go away, who cares about his longevity star.”
Before she could finish her anger, someone came to report again: “Yuan Shikai, the Beiyang Minister, wishes the Empress Dowager good fortune as vast as the East Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains, and sends a box of buns.” “Buns? I don’t lack any rare things, let alone something as shabby as buns! Isn’t this a way to make me angry? What buns? Are they giving me a gas bag!”
At this time, Yuan Shikai reported outside: “This humble official has come from Tianjin to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and has brought you the “Goubuli” buns unique to Tianjin, please taste them.” Cixi was happy when she heard it, “Goubuli? That’s great, then if I eat Goubuli, the heavenly dog will stay away and won’t come to eat me.” So she immediately said: “Bring it over for me to taste.” After Cixi tasted the buns, she praised them as delicious, and immediately turned from anger to joy, and kept saying good.
People all say that Yuan Shikai is shrewd. When giving gifts to Empress Dowager Cixi, if the gift was too heavy, it would seem that he was not incorruptible as an official. If the gift was light, it would seem that he did not pay attention to the Empress Dowager. Using “Goubuli” buns as a gift, he used a small amount of money to give a big gift. This time, the treasure presentation was truly “a hit”!
And Empress Dowager Cixi’s evaluation of “Goubuli” buns is: The beasts in the mountains, the geese in the clouds, the cattle and sheep in the blessed land, and the seafood in the sea, are not as fragrant as Goubuli, and eating them will prolong life. Since her birthday, Cixi would send people to Tianjin to buy “Goubuli” buns every now and then. Yuan Shikai was also appreciated by Cixi because of these “Goubuli” buns. Cixi would praise him every time she ate these buns, saying that he understood the people’s feelings and even knew about “Goubuli” buns. From then on, Yuan Shikai became even more powerful, and “Goubuli” buns also became tribute buns.
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