In the long course of history, the feudal imperial system has given birth to countless emperors. However, among these emperors who enjoyed the highest honors, very few were able to enjoy a long life. But history always has its exceptions, especially the two ancestral emperors Kangxi and Qianlong.
Emperor Kangxi, with his 61-year reign, became the longest-reigning emperor in the Qing Dynasty and even in Chinese feudal history. And his grandson, Emperor Qianlong, also followed, ranking second with a reign of 60 years.
These two emperors not only reigned for a long time, but also became a miracle of history in terms of longevity. The longevity of their grandparents and grandchildren has aroused endless curiosity and ** for future generations. It is important to note that their longevity is tied to something they collectively avoid. What is the secret?
In the long history of China's feudal history, Emperor Kangxi, with his 68-year long life, was like an evergreen tree among many short-lived emperors. In feudal times, it was rare for an emperor to enjoy such a long life. Emperor Kangxi was busy all his life, but he was able to reign for 60 years, and he still maintained his quick thinking and strong body in his later years, and the secret behind this is his adherence to the way of health preservation.
Emperor Kangxi had a unique insight and self-control on food. Although as an emperor could enjoy the most luxurious cuisine, he never deliberately pursued the richest food. At a banquet, a minister offered fatty meat, but Emperor Kangxi smiled and said: "Although my appetite is good, I cherish my health more." He prefers to eat light foods such as fish, shrimp, fruits and vegetables to keep his body light and energetic.
At the banquet, Emperor Kangxi's moderation was equally admirable. He can drink, but he never indulges in alcohol. During a feast, he took a sip of wine and then stopped, and said to the courtiers beside him: "Wine can be enjoyable for the body and mind, but it will hurt if it is excessive, remember, everything must be done in moderation." "This self-control of his plays a key role in maintaining his health.
The records in the Eight Banners also reflect the regularity and orderliness of Emperor Kangxi's diet and daily life. He eats in an orderly manner, does not eat extra snacks, and does not get dirty with cigarettes, alcohol, betel nuts, etc., which is extremely important for maintaining good health.
Emperor Kangxi's longevity is not only due to his diet control, but also to his mentality. He is very open to life and death, and has no illusions of pursuing immortality. In one of his poems, he wrote: "Indifferent and energetic, pure and happy." This shows that he has a peaceful mind, is indifferent to fame and fortune, and enjoys the small fortunes in life.
This mentality of his is vividly reflected in the treatment of his white hair and white beard. Someone once offered him a recipe that could make white hair turn black, but Emperor Kangxi smiled and said: "How many white-haired emperors can there be since ancient times?" If my hair is all white, is it not the beauty of eternity? His optimism and acceptance of the laws of nature is admirable.
In a conversation, Emperor Kangxi said to his ministers: "Life is like a dream, birth, old age, sickness and death are natural principles. We should go with the flow and not be overly attached. This detached attitude not only made his old age more peaceful, but also became one of the important reasons for his longevity.
Emperor Kangxi's life was not only a wise monarch, but also a model of longevity and wisdom. His self-control in food, peace of mind, and outlook on life and death undoubtedly provided valuable wisdom for future generations.
In the imperial corridor of Chinese history, the Qianlong Emperor became the longest-lived emperor in history at the age of 88, breaking the record for the longest life expectancy of previous emperors. As the grandson of Kangxi, Qianlong inherited his grandfather's secret of longevity and practiced it in his own life, creating an immortal record.
Qianlong ascended the throne at the age of 25, and his reign lasted 60 years, becoming a witness to the heyday of the Qing Dynasty's national power. During his reign, the Qianlong Emperor demonstrated extraordinary ruling ability and outstanding military intelligence.
Although Emperor Qianlong revered Kangxi and could have equaled or even broken his grandfather's reign record, he chose to abdicate and pass the throne to his son Jiaqing. In a conversation with his ministers, Emperor Qianlong said: "I respect my grandfather more than I desire power, and I am at ease when I give way to my son." Despite his abdication, he remained active as Emperor Taishang until he was 89 years old.
Emperor Qianlong not only lived a long life, but also had great energy. When he is 65 years old, he can still let the harem concubines give birth to princes and princesses. At the age of 87, he was still able to go out hunting and archery, showing the same demeanor as he did back then. When the British envoy saw him, he was amazed: "Although Your Majesty is old, he is in good spirits, like a middle-aged strong man. ”
Emperor Qianlong's longevity, in addition to benefiting from good living habits and regular Xi exercise, is also related to his family genes. His mother, Niu Co Lu, was also a long-lived person, living to be 86 years old. This seems to prove that there was indeed a genetic inheritance of longevity in the Qing royal family.
Emperor Qianlong wrote in his diary: "Life and death are the destiny of heaven, but it is human ability to maintain a healthy body and mind." This mentality not only enabled him to maintain a clear mind in the heavy state affairs, but also helped him set a new record for the life of the emperor.
In the vast history of China's feudal dynasties, the emperors' obsession with immortality and their fascination with elixir became a thought-provoking topic. Many emperors were weakened and short-lived because of their extravagant and indulgent lifestyles. However, when it comes to the pursuit of longevity, they often follow a very different path from Kangxi and Qianlong.
Many emperors were obsessed with the miraculous effects of elixirs, believing that these mysterious substances could bring immortality. At a court meeting, Tang Xianzong said to the ministers: "It is rumored that the pill can prolong life, and I want to try it." But he didn't know that these pills contained a lot of toxic ingredients, and long-term use would be harmful to his health.
Ming Shizong and Ming Guangzong are representatives of superstitious pills. They often sought various elixirs from ministers and warlocks, including "Red Lead Pills" and "Autumn Stones". Ming Shizong was once obsessed with taking pills, and even ignored the government, he once said to the ministers around him: "If there is a medicine that can prolong life, wouldn't it be a great thing?" But he didn't know that the toxicity of these drugs was slowly eroding his health.
In the long history of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng is a unique exception, and his dedication to elixir highlights the emperor's desire for immortality. After experiencing the turmoil of nine sons, the forty-five-year-old Yinzhen ascended the throne and became Emperor Yongzheng. However, unlike his father Kangxi and son Qianlong, Emperor Yongzheng had an inseparable obsession with pills.
Due to the heavy burden, dealing with national affairs, and the early death of his brother Yinxiang, Emperor Yongzheng's body and mind were under great pressure, and his health began to deteriorate. Faced with the fear of death, Emperor Yongzheng began to pin his hopes on alchemy to prolong his life, trying to resist aging and death in this way.
Due to the long-term use of pills, Emperor Yongzheng accumulated a large number of harmful metal substances in his body. These pills, which were originally his sustenance for longevity, gradually became the poison of his body.
In the later years of Emperor Yongzheng, his physical condition deteriorated day by day, and he finally died at the age of fifty-eight. This is in stark contrast to the longevity of his father Kangxi and son Qianlong.
In contrast, Kangxi and Qianlong had very different attitudes towards pills. Emperor Kangxi wisely avoided the ** of the elixir. After one of his imperial physicians, Sun Sibai, caused an adverse reaction to taking ginseng, Emperor Kangxi said angrily: "Taking this medicine is not only not beneficial, but harmful to yourself." Emperor Qianlong learned from the example of his father Yongzheng and knew the dangers of taking pills.
Kangxi and Qianlong's longevity did not depend on mysterious elixirs, but on pragmatic health regimens and healthy living Xi. In a conversation, Emperor Qianlong said to his ministers: "Pills are not a good prescription for longevity, only by conforming to nature and maintaining health care can we live a long life." This sober awareness and action made them stand out among many short-lived emperors and became a model of longevity.
In short, most of the emperors who were obsessed with pills in history were ill-fated, but the longevity of Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors lay in their persistence in healthy living and their rejection of pill superstitions. Their story tells us that longevity is not a panacea, but a good mindset and a healthy lifestyle that follows the laws of nature.