According to local lore from several regions in China, traditional markets once had an unusual custom forbidding the sale of oranges directly to market officials. This rule, though not widely documented, is said to stem from attempts to prevent bribery and favoritism in bustling trading hubs. Oranges, considered valuable and symbolic gifts, might have been used to curry favor with those overseeing market transactions. By restricting their sale to officials, vendors and citizens aimed to uphold fairness and order. While this rule is not confirmed in formal historical records, it reflects the intricate social dynamics in China's vibrant marketplaces, where food items often carried meanings beyond mere sustenance. Such customs highlight how food, markets, and civic order occasionally intertwined in unique and surprising ways throughout China's rich history.
Source / verification note
Based on regional anecdotes and market folklore collected from Chinese cultural historians; lacks official documentation.