石榴汁考 On Pomegranate Juice

警告：石榴汁爱好者阅读本文可能产生不适，请谨慎阅读。 Warning: Pomegranate juice lovers might experience discomfort while reading this. Please proceed carefully.

序言

Foreword

石榴汁之于悬锋城，不仅是饮品，更是一种文化象征。本文试图考证此传统的起源与演变，为后人留存一份完整记录。

Pomegranate juice originated from Castrum Kremnos. It was not just a beverage, but a cultural symbol as well. This paper will attempt to examine the origin and the evolution of this tradition and create a comprehensive record for latter generations.

壹：历史溯源

I. Historical Origin

【远古陋习】

Ancient Indiscretion

依据悬锋城元老院藏于《战争编年史》记载，在纷争世早期，尼卡多利的信徒确有饮用敌人鲜血的陋习。彼时悬锋人认为，饮下强者之血可获其勇武。此说虽无实据，却在军中盛行。

According to the Chronicles of War located in the archives in the Council of Elders in Castrum Kremnos, followers of Nikador had the unfortunate practice of drinking their enemies' blood during the early days of Era Bellica. At that time, Kremnoan believed that drinking the blood of powerful enemies would grant them the valiance of the deceased. There was no evidence, but it was a popular tradition in the army.

【法吉娜之谜】

The Enigma of Phagousa

光历2600年前后，发生了改变这一传统的关键事件。当时悬锋城与沿海诸邦爆发争端，尼卡多利率军亲征，连下三城。战后，尼卡多利向败者提出苛刻要求：献上城中居民的鲜血，否则将降下天谴。

Around Year 2600 of the Light Calendar, a critical event changed the tradition. A conflict broke out between Castrum Kremnos and the Seaside States, and Nikador traveled with their troops to conquer three cities in succession. After the war, Nikador gave the cruel request for the defeated to offer the blood of their residents, or they would suffer from divine punishment.

据《海潮志》记载，危急时刻，海洋泰坦法吉娜现身解围。它命令信徒以石榴汁代血，并亲自为此饮品赋予神力。尼卡多利饮下后竟不辨真伪，反而对其味道赞不绝口。

According to the Story of the Tide, Phagousa, the Ocean Titan, appeared to save the poor residents. They ordered their followers to drink pomegranate juice instead, and imbued their powers in the juice. Nikador was unable to tell the difference between pomegranate and blood, and even praised the beverage for its flavor.

贰：转变时期

II. Change

【替代之议】

Replacement Proposal

有趣的是，此事后来在元老院引发了激烈争论。保守派认为放弃饮血传统是懦弱的表现，然开明派则指出，既然连尼卡多利都认可了石榴汁，此变革必有深意。

Interestingly, this sparked an intense debate in the Council of Elders. The conservative faction believed that giving up blood consumption was a sign of weakness, whereas the progressive faction claimed that Nikador's approval of pomegranate juice carried great significance.

克拉索将军在元老院的发言最具代表性：「诸君皆知尼卡多利与法吉娜的智慧。石榴色泽如血，味道似铁，岂不正是战士之饮？我军战前痛饮石榴汁，既显武勇，又传承了尼卡多利之举，实乃两全其美。」

Ultimately, General Krasus left a statement that signified the change: "We all know the wisdom of Nikador and Phagousa. Pomegranates have the same color as blood and taste like blood, so isn't its juice fitting for a warrior? Consuming large quantities of pomegranate juice before a battle would demonstrate our valiance and carry on Nikador's legacy. Is this not a perfect solution?"

【制度确立】

Established As Law

光历2650年，元老院正式颁布法令，以石榴汁取代血饮，并制定相关礼仪规程。此举标志着悬锋城酿饮文化的重大转折。

In Year 2650 of the Light Calendar, the Council of Elders formally declared that pomegranate juice would replace blood, and created relevant rituals and rules. This signified a critical change in the beverage culture of Castrum Kremnos.

叁：配方演变

III. Recipe Evolution

【传统配方】

Traditional Recipe

最早期的石榴汁配方极为简单：

The recipe was extremely simple during its infancy:

鲜榨石榴

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice

少许盐

A pinch of salt

铁器存放（使其带有铁锈味）

An iron vessel for storage (for the rusty flavor)

【军中配方】

Military Recipe

军中流传的加强版：

The "empowered" version popular in the military:

鲜榨石榴

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice

生姜末

Minced raw ginger

海盐

Sea salt

铁皮石斛（此方据称可提升体力，多在行军前饮用）

Dendrobium catenatum (this version allegedly enhanced stamina, and was often consumed before marching)

【仪式配方】

Ritual Recipe

用于重要典礼：

To be used during important rituals:

野生石榴（必须采自战场）

Wild pomegranate (must be picked from a battlefield)

蜂蜜（象征法吉娜恩赐）

Honey (represents Phagousa's gift)

铁质圣器浸泡

An iron vessel for soaking

祭司咒言加持

Blessings from a priest

注：此配方现仅用于「授盾礼」等重要仪式。

Note: In modern times, this recipe is used during important ceremonies such as the Rite of the Shield.

【新派争议】

Modern Controversy

近年，以某位著名战士为代表的群体开创新派饮法，加入羊奶和干酪，使得液体呈现粉色。对此，元老院保守派多有微词。然考据显示，在法吉娜最初的配方中就包含乳制品，或许新派反倒更接近原始形态。

During recent years, a group led by a famous warrior created a new recipe by adding goat's milk and cheese, giving the beverage a light pink hue. The conservatives on the Council of Elders expressed their discontent at this change. However, research showed that dairy was included in Phagousa's original recipe, so maybe the new recipe was actually closer to the beverage's original form.

肆：仪式意义

IV. Ritual Significance

【军礼运用】

Military

1、出征前：全军共饮，象征同仇敌忾

1. Before an expedition: The army consumes the beverage together to show solidarity.

2、凯旋时：将领先饮，部下共饮

2. Upon a triumphant return: Generals drink first, and their subordinates drink together afterward.

3、阵亡祭：将石榴汁洒于盾牌，象征战士回归

3. At the funerals for the deceased: Pomegranate juice is sprinkled on shields to symbolize the return of these soldiers.

【民间仪式】

Civilian

1、成年礼：少年首次饮用纯正石榴汁

1. Coming of Age Ceremony: Youths drink pure pomegranate juice for the first time.

2、授盾礼：父母离别时与子女对饮

2. Rite of the Shield: Parents drink with their children when the former depart.

3、结盟仪：缔结盟约时共饮同杯

3. Alliance Ceremony: The entities creating the alliance drink from the same cup.

伍：启示

V. Revelation

石榴汁传统的演变昭示着悬锋城文明的进步。从野蛮的血祭到优雅的饮仪，体现了一个民族的成长。正如法吉娜当年的智慧，有时改变未必意味着背离传统，而可能是对传统更深层的传承。

The evolution of the tradition symbolizes the advancement of the Castrum Kremnos civilization. The growth of a people can be seen in the change from barbaric blood rituals to elegant ceremonies. Phagousa imparted the wisdom that change did not necessarily mean leaving the tradition behind, and that it could be seen as a more sophisticated way of passing on the tradition.

然而不容忽视的是，石榴汁之所以能取代血饮，关键在于它保留了战士文化的核心——那种视死如归的勇武精神。这正是悬锋城得以传承至今的根本。

What must be noted here, however, is that the key to pomegranate juice replacing blood lies in the fact that the core concept of the warrior culture was preserved — the valiance that transcended even death — and that is why Castrum Kremnos still stands tall today.

结语

Conclusion

愿饮下这杯石榴汁的战士，永远铭记其中所蕴含的历史与荣耀。正如先贤所言：「石榴汁虽非血，却承载着比血更深重的意义。」

May the warriors who drink the pomegranate juice forever remember the history and the glory contained within. As remarked by an ancient sage, "pomegranate juice is not blood, but it carries a deeper significance than blood."

附录：特别感谢悬锋城档案馆和元老院文献处对本研究的支持。

Afterword: A special thanks to the archives of Castrum Kremnos and Council of Elders for supporting the research.