He was from the richest city in Ming China, or one of the richest, and after his checkered political career, he came home and planted a garden.  500 years later, we can still visit his garden and marvel at the humility of Wang Xianchen, the Humble Administrator. This episode is a pleasant diversion beforewe get back to the big stories.

And we'll have Suzhou "smoked" fish while we're here!

Sources:
Clunas, Craig. Fruitful Sites: Garden Culture in Ming Dynasty China
Lonely Planet China   Photograph CC4.0 by wikicommons user Another Believer