The Chang'an Youth Episode 13 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
The Shangyi School scholars finalized their representatives for the upcoming competition. Tang Jiuhua was chosen for the dance event, Li Xinyuan for mathematics, and Shen Yiyi, confident in her culinary skills, for the cooking competition. Yang Zian was selected for the weiqi event, and Dugu Muxue was recommended for swordsmanship. Teaching Assistant Yang, however, expressed concern that the selections were too hasty, given that Great Yu's national prestige was at stake.
He proposed holding an internal competition within Shangyi School, with the winners going on to represent the institution. When Chief Song asked if anyone wished to challenge the proposed candidates, no one stepped forward. Consequently, Yang Zian, Shen Yiyi, Tang Jiuhua, Li Xinyuan, and Dugu Muxue were officially confirmed as the contestants, with Chief Song emphasizing that the honor of Shangyi School and Great Yu rested on their shoulders. They all affirmed their confidence.
The five selected scholars gathered to discuss their plans. Li Xinyuan was surprised to learn that the usually boisterous Tang Jiuhua was not only skilled in music but also in dance. Tang Jiuhua, initially boastful about his past practices with dancers at home, quickly reassured Shen Yiyi that he had not seen them since she arrived.
He declared his intention to perform the Sogdian Whirl, explaining that despite its common association with female dancers, it was a vigorous dance more suited to men to display robust forms. He acknowledged his skills had become a little rusty and left to practice immediately. Dugu Muxue inquired about Shen Yiyi's preparations for the cooking event. While she initially expressed confidence, Yang Zian advised her that merely delicious food wouldn't suffice for an international competition.
He stressed the importance of dishes having a combination of excellent look, smell, and taste, along with good moral implications. Shen Yiyi, acknowledging the wisdom in his words, promised to carefully consider her dishes and their deeper meanings. She, Li Xinyuan, and Dugu Muxue all confirmed their readiness to prepare for their respective events, while Yang Zian chose to keep his strategy for the weiqi competition under wraps.
That night, Shen Yiyi, still pondering the symbolic meaning for her dishes, was comforted by Aunt Zhang in the kitchen, who, noticing her worries, casually remarked, "Life is short." This simple phrase sparked a sudden inspiration in Shen Yiyi. Meanwhile, Han Yu'er learned about the Five Scholars of Shangyi School competing against the East Kingdom and rushed to the school to find Shen Yiyi. Upon entering, she was captivated by Tang Jiuhua's dancing. Tang Jiuhua, noticing her, teased her.
They soon engaged in their usual banter, with Han Yu'er calling him a "lame fat goose." During their exchange, Tang Jiuhua accidentally twisted his ankle. Han Yu'er, feeling guilty, quickly fetched a doctor. The doctor informed them that Tang Jiuhua's injury was severe and required bed rest, warning that continued strenuous activity could permanently affect his ability to walk. Dr. Wu suggested he withdraw from the competition for his well-being.
However, Tang Jiuhua, drawing on his lifelong dedication to dance and familiarity with injuries, steadfastly refused to give up. Shen Yiyi and others also tried to persuade him to prioritize his health. It was Han Yu'er who ultimately convinced Dr. Wu to let Tang Jiuhua compete, sharing a personal story about how "people only regret things they haven't done." Dr. Wu, though noting Han Yu'er's repeated unauthorized entries into Shangyi School, relented to Tang Jiuhua's determination.
The day of the competition arrived, with many ministers and scholars in attendance. The first event was the dance competition. Tang Jiuhua’s performance, characterized by both power and grace, initially garnered widespread applause. However, he stumbled and fell due to his ankle injury, sustained during practice. Encouraged by the cheers and support from Shangyi School scholars and Dr. Wu, Tang Jiuhua bravely stood up and continued to dance.
Despite his valiant effort, the pain prevented him from maintaining his intricate movements, ultimately allowing the East Kingdom's envoy to claim victory in the first round. Dr. Wu publicly acknowledged Tang Jiuhua’s severe injury and his spirit of never giving up, which exemplified the values of Shangyi School. Back at Shangyi School, Shen Yiyi comforted a dejected Tang Jiuhua, assuring him that he had performed admirably despite his injury.
She then returned to her preparations for the cooking competition, while Li Xinyuan and Dugu Muxue assisted her by gathering fresh ingredients. Shen Yiyi also brought Tang Jiuhua a meal, but he playfully feigned a hand injury, trying to get her to feed him. Shen Yiyi quickly saw through his trick, and he admitted he was pretending. Teaching Assistant Yang visited Shen Yiyi in the kitchen, observing her preparations. He confirmed his support for Shangyi School's victory.
He then warned her against underestimating the East Kingdom, highlighting their culinary creativity, particularly how they had innovated the Raw Fish Slices, a dish originally from Great Yu, into thirty-eight different varieties. He emphasized the importance of knowing one's enemy. Shen Yiyi admitted her oversight and promised to refine her approach.
As she struggled to come up with elegant names for her dishes, Tang Jiuhua, feeling a pang of jealousy when she mentioned Yang Zian's previous advice, suggested she just ask Yang Zian for help. The next morning, Shen Yiyi was delighted to find that elegant and poetic names, penned in Yang Zian's distinct handwriting, had appeared next to each of her dishes. For the Pagoda Leaf Cold Dish, he chose the name "The sky is blue. The wilderness is boundless.
The wind lowers the grass. Sheep and cattle come into sight." For the Frog and Osmanthus Soup, he titled it "Separated by a clear river, the lovers can't speak to each other." The cooking competition commenced. Shen Yiyi presented five dishes, each representing one of the "five tastes"—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—which she explained corresponded to the five internal organs, hinting at their medicinal benefits.
Her dishes included Frog and Osmanthus Soup, Pagoda Leaf Cold Dish, Bright Roast Shrimps, Chicken with Scallion and Vinegar, and a rich, savory dish made with sheep bone marrow and venison. The East Kingdom's chef presented various Raw Fish Slices, emphasizing their natural flavor and exquisite knife work. The East Kingdom chef then made a dismissive remark about Shen Yiyi's last dish name. Yang Zian, rising to her defense, retorted that Great Yu's abundant resources might have overwhelmed the envoy.
He eloquently defended the poetic nature of Shen Yiyi's dishes and even offered the accompanying wine if the envoy couldn't appreciate the food. The judges initially declared the cooking competition a draw. This decision sparked protests from the Great Yu attendees. Yang Zian stepped forward again, politely challenging the judges' verdict.
He raised three crucial points: first, Raw Fish Slices, though excellent, originated from Great Yu, thus not truly representing the East Kingdom's native cuisine; second, despite its visual appeal, the raw fish lacked the "smell" component required for a truly "excellent look, smell, and taste" dish; and third, and most importantly, the fish used by the East Kingdom chef were caught during the closed fishing season, a period when Great Yu enforced a ban to protect spawning fish and ensure ecological balance.
Yang Zian emphasized that culinary excellence extended beyond mere taste to include a chef's deeper understanding of harmony and sustainability, referencing the teachings of Mencius. After a re-evaluation, the judges agreed with Yang Zian's arguments, declaring Shangyi School the winner, citing the superior moral and health implications of Shen Yiyi's dishes. News of Shangyi School's victory in the cooking competition reached the Emperor, who was impressed by Shen Yiyi’s ingenuity and unique approach to the five-taste dishes. With the current score at one win each, Li Xinyuan's upcoming mathematics competition became pivotal. He assured his friends he would do his utmost.
