Original Text
Hanlin Academician Jiang Yuxuan once said: Beneath the White Dragon Mound desert, if one digs several feet down, the ground is filled with piled dragon meat. People may freely cut and take it, but they must never utter the word "dragon." If anyone says, "This is dragon meat," a thunderbolt will instantly strike and kill that person. Academician Jiang had once eaten this meat, and it was indeed no falsehood.
Commentary
What Grand Historian Jiang said, though brief, encompasses two aspects: that beneath the Dragon Mound there is dragon flesh to be eaten, but one must avoid saying that what is eaten is dragon flesh. Thus, in his commentary, Pu Songling remarked, 'It is indeed not false,' referring to both of these aspects. From a modern standpoint, both of these aspects are utterly absurd and highly unbelievable.
According to the standard narrative pattern of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, it is not customary to append the phrase "truly not mistaken" at the conclusion. The deliberate "gilding the lily" in this piece invites considerable reflection.
There are matters in this world that may be spoken of but not done, and others that may be done but not spoken of. What is meant by "done but not spoken of" often involves saving face for oneself or for the other party, which is what is called "taboo." One may eat dragon meat but cannot speak of it—this is perhaps a Chinese-style taboo.