To Eat or Not to Eat? Still, One Should Eat!

【2: Napoleon (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821).

A proud symbol in French history, he not only read extensively and possessed profound knowledge, but also had a strong physique, rich imagination, an indomitable spirit, extraordinary wisdom, and outstanding leadership talent. In a sense, he was truly a hero and a favored child forged by the currents of the French Revolution. In over 40 years, he made Europe, Egypt, and Russia his stage, performing a grand and powerful drama of life. So much so that even today, many myths and legends still remain in the places Napoleon traversed.

However, this French emperor, the pride of countless French people, the invincible god of war, actually always had an unspeakable reason unknown to outsiders. Due to years of continuous warfare and prolonged horseback riding, his anus suffered excessive pressure annually, hindering blood circulation in the area. Furthermore, his habit of wearing tight trousers gradually led to hemorrhoids. Moreover, due to delayed treatment, Napoleon's condition rapidly worsened.

It is rumored that during the "Battle of Waterloo," Napoleon did not personally command on the battlefield because his hemorrhoids recurred. Furthermore, it is said to have been very severe, preventing him from mounting a horse to oversee the battlefield and direct his troops. He could only huddle in a corner, smoking opium to alleviate the pain. In a sense, it was precisely because of Napoleon's recurrent hemorrhoids that the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Waterloo occurred, thereby rewriting Napoleon's fate.】

Everyone: "Alright, here comes another great figure who became unlucky due to hemorrhoids. If they remember correctly, Zhang Ju Zheng was rumored in some unofficial history to have died from hemorrhoids."

【3: Su Shi (1037 – 1101), courtesy name Zi Zhan, also Qiong Zhong, pen names Iron Crown Daoist, Layman Dong Po, commonly known as Su Dong Po, Immortal Su, Immortal Po. A native of Mei Zhou, Mei Shan, he was a writer, calligrapher, painter, and a historical figure in water conservancy during the Northern Song Dynasty. He, his father Su Xun, and his brother Su Zhe are collectively known as "The Three Sus."

Su Shi was a leader of the literary circles in the mid-Northern Song Dynasty, achieving high accomplishments in poetry, ci poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting. His poetry covered a wide range of topics, was fresh and vigorous, adept at using exaggeration and comparison, with a unique style, and he and Huang Ting Jian were collectively known as "Su Huang." His ci poetry pioneered the bold and unrestrained school, and he and Xin Qi Ji were representatives of the bold and unrestrained school, collectively known as "Su Xin." His prose was rich in narrative, unrestrained and natural, and he and Ou Yang Xiu were collectively known as "Ou Su." He, along with Han Yu, Liu Zong Yuan, Ou Yang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Zhe, Wang An Shi, and Zeng Gong, are collectively known as "The Eight Great Prose Masters of Tang and Song."

As everyone knows, besides being a great literary figure, a great painter, and a great predecessor, Su Shi also held titles such as great glutton and chef. To uphold this point of "one who cannot cook is not a true gourmet," Su Shi once personally rolled up his sleeves and created numerous famous dishes such as "Dongpo Pork," "Dongpo Fish," "Dongpo Pork Hock," "Dongpo Jelly," and "Dongpo Tofu." These dishes were loved by countless people, among them even the famous "Dongpo Pork" served at state banquets.

Su Shi also had a famous trait of eating wherever he was demoted. Because of this, overeating, a preference for spicy and heavy flavors, greasy foods, and excessive drinking habits brought a great burden to Su Shi's body, successfully giving him an unspeakable reason.

Historical records state that Su Shi's official career was bumpy; he was demoted to Hui Zhou, where he accidentally contracted hemorrhoids, which were itchy and painful, and caused frequent bloody stools. This unspeakable reason brought great inconvenience to the famous "Layman Dong Po" when walking, sitting, and sleeping. Su Shi's hemorrhoids were caused by his fondness for rich, sweet, and greasy foods and excessive drinking.

Su Shi's love for meat and wine was well-known; after all, the famous "Dongpo Pork" was his creation. To treat his hemorrhoids, he even developed a kind of fu ling cake, which then inadvertently became a local specialty. Frequent consumption of greasy foods and excessive drinking easily leads to an accumulation of damp-heat in the body, affecting the lower intestines, thereby inducing or aggravating hemorrhoids. Therefore, preventing hemorrhoids requires attention to dietary balance, less spicy, greasy foods, and more fresh vegetables and fruits.】

Song Dynasty.

Su Shi suddenly felt a tightness in his anus, and couldn't help but silently put down the wine cup in his hand. He looked a little dazed at the shimmering wine in the cup.

"Perhaps… I shouldn't drink?"

"No, no, how can one not drink wine? Without wine and delicious food, what meaning would life have to speak of?!"

“Oh well, anyway, I haven’t contracted this unspeakable reason yet, at most I’ll just be more careful with my diet in the future!” Su Shi happily decided thus.

Therefore, Su (the unstoppable glutton) Shi happily expressed that he would reward himself with two plates of braised pork hock!