What was the status of food in the hearts of the ancients?Were the emperors really extravagant?Can the fate of those high-end imperial meals be known?Perhaps we should reinterpret this long history a little.
The people take food as the sky", and eating is the first priority. This sentence expresses the incomparably depressed and unchanging persistence in the hearts of the ancients for eating. We know a little about the simplicity of the ancients, but we don't necessarily fully understand the heavy expectations they placed on food. Hunger strikes every year, and the people are often forced to struggle in desperate situations, either due to floods and droughts, or due to man-made disasters and wars. The lifeblood of food is related to the rise and fall of the family and country, and natural disasters have become unprecedented disasters in an instant, and people are Xi to fear the impermanence of calamity.
In the primitive, the cold was unbearable, and the pursuit of "food can satisfy the stomach, and clothing can cover the body";After gradually solving the problem of food and clothing, quality and taste will become the test yardstick;Then all kinds of cuisines are varied, the combinations are varied, and the ingredients and tastes are pushed onto the stage of history, becoming a rich logo and practice in the process of civilization development. In this long history, food culture has been quantified, standardized, scientific, philosophical, etc., and passed down from generation to generation. The Chinese food culture has nurtured the people's sustenance and yearning, passed down from generation to generation, and has left a unique mark on this ancient civilization.
As the ancients said, "Chinese food is hard work", most of us are far away from the countryside, and it is difficult to understand the hard work and dedication behind every bite of food. The ancients often used this as a warning to the world to be grateful and cherish food. This may be a little difficult, but it shows a sincerity and depth that has nowhere to hide - food is the lifeline;Food is the root of civilization;Food is the cultural essence of thousands of years of hard work and painstaking precipitation.
What about the emperor's food?They are far from being human, but they are also closely related to the belief that "the people are the sky". Therefore, the extravagance of the royal family is inherent in the responsibility of its system;And the tradition of saving is also forged by a history of leading by example.
The emperors of the past dynasties enjoyed the pinnacle of the country, and their style of action led the social fashion, so it was natural that they became the focus of attention. When it comes to royal extravagance, some simple people may be deeply stunned. However, it is not advisable to ridicule its extravagance. History has left a specific mark on every monarch.
This imprint, whether deep or shallow, is always engraved on the body of one emperor after another. The power of the emperors of the past dynasties is boundless, and extravagance is inevitable. But what emperor doesn't want to be a wise monarch?Royal extravagance is inevitable;But the style of frugality was also practiced by emperors of all generations. The kings who have always ruled the world have always strived to be honest and honest in order to benefit the people.
So what is the connotation of the "luxury" of royal extravagance?Let's try to solve one or two of them.
Take the Qing Dynasty as an example, one of the buildings was extremely prosperous. The palace is huge and towering. It is equipped with office pavilions, administrative conference halls, as well as royal gardens, palaces, etc. These buildings are huge and imposing. It can be described as an architectural marvel. Whether it is the palace garden, or the tableware, everything is full of luxury and noble elements. Such extravagant construction is the embodiment of the royal system. This "luxury" is certainly suspected of being "extravagant," but it also represents the authority and majesty of the supreme ruler. So how does the royal extravagance manifest itself in the diet?
As we can imagine, the Palace Dining Room must be one of the largest kitchens in the world. The ancients said: The big kitchens are all in the palace. It has a large team of chefs and excellent cooking skills. Every time the emperor eats, hundreds of dishes are presented in turn, the dishes are exquisite and elegant, and the color and flavor are complete. The ingredients in these dishes are extraordinarily precious, and the cooking methods are extremely exquisite, reflecting the extravagance of the royal family.
In the interval of extravagance, the concept of thrift was promoted by the emperor's words and deeds. This economy is an unswerving part of the royal tradition. The emperors of all dynasties adhered to the principle of frugality and led by example. This is reflected in every aspect of daily life, down to the end.
In the face of the delicacies presented at more than a dozen tables, no emperor could eat much. But the ancients would never have poured out the rest of the food with a wave of their hand. The emperor sometimes invited his ministers to a banquet to taste untouched dishes. This is undoubtedly a great favor for the minister. At the same time, it reduces waste, impresses ministers, and strengthens the relationship between monarchs and ministers.
As for the leftover meals after eating, they are often given to the eunuchs or palace maids who are waiting around. In their eyes, this is not just leftovers, but more like a gift from the Son of Heaven.
Even if it's just leftovers, they will be cherished and preserved. The embodiment of this is not only a material gift, but also a supreme grace on the spiritual level. The ministers around him will also be grateful for this and serve the emperor with more dedication.
This kind of reward may seem insignificant, but it actually has a deep meaning. It not only reflects the emperor's benevolent and pro-people style, but also enhances the centripetal force of his ministers. At the same time, it is also an important way for the monarch to establish his prestige and establish personal connections unique to ancient times. These favored ministers also often make the most of their food and share it with their family and friends. In this way, the name of the emperor's favor was known to more subjects, and the emperor's authority was widely publicized.
In addition to rewarding the ministers, there is another way to go for leftovers. That is, it was transported to the private sector and auctioned off to the merchants. In ancient times, ordinary people** had the opportunity to see the luxury of the royal mealThey can only taste those delicacies in their imagination. As a result, as soon as there was an opportunity for an auction, the merchant class competed to make a bid and raised their hands to bid.
Auctions have always been extremely popular, because eating the emperor's dishes has become a symbol of glory and can satisfy the vanity of wealthy merchants. Regardless of whether the dish itself is still delicious, the golden sign of "Royal Imperial Cuisine" alone is enough to make the merchant class scramble and spare no effort. This kills two birds with one stone while earning a considerable income for the court while eliminating food waste.
This auction of leftovers also reflects the continuation of the royal tradition of frugality. Not only did it make the best use of things, but it also spread among the people, which had a profound impact on the definition of imperial power: the emperor was not only benevolent, but also a frugal housekeeper.
It can be seen from this that the establishment of the emperor's authority and the promotion of the atmosphere of economy did not come overnight. Through these measures, the emperors inspired their subjects to be industrious and thrifty, and to live a simple life. These ideas and practices have spread and become good practices in society and passed on from generation to generation.
Thousands of years of feudal dynastic history have witnessed that the ancients' cherishing psychology and frugal practices have not changed. The emperors of all dynasties have always set an example, established the norms of diligence and thrift, and promoted the civilization of thrift. This tradition of cherishing leftovers is the oldest "disc movement" that we should learn from Xi and pass on.
Today's society is affluent, and many people develop the bad Xi of squandering. However, looking back on history, the ancients who lived in dire straits lived in frugality all the time. In the face of such contrasts, what shame do we have to waste food and waste the fruits of other people's labor?Perhaps, ancient history can awaken us to cherish and be content more, and avoid extravagance and extravagance. While enjoying the material life, we should also remember to enhance our sense of social responsibility, remember the virtue of diligence and thrift of the ancients, and pass on this civilization gene that has lasted for thousands of years.