Under the restrictions of the ancient curfew system, what were the ancient Chinese who did not have electricity busy with at night? Is it to seek an earlier rest after a tiring day, or is it to continue the generations to "pass on the lineage"?
The curfew system originated in the ancient Zhou Dynasty, and according to the records of the Zhou Li and Autumn Lawsuits, there was a "Si Kou clan" who was responsible for night patrols, stopping night pedestrians, and prohibiting night walks and night tours.
Although the local customs, customs, and local control capabilities of the Zhou Dynasty were different, the curfew system was largely a ritual constraint and had not yet truly played its warning role.
Even so, there were still many people and scholars in the vassal states who did not observe the curfew.
After the end of the Warring States conflict, the Qin Dynasty established and implemented a strict curfew system to govern the country and prevent the rebellion of the remnants of the Six Kingdoms. This system lasted for a long time, for example, Li Guang, a famous general of the Han Dynasty, once missed the time of drinking during the curfew, was blocked by the small city gate officials, stayed up all night in the cold wind, and did not return home until the next morning.
During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the curfew system was very prevalent, and Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty implemented a strict rule of law because of his **. The Li Tang Dynasty, although open-minded, still strictly adhered to the curfew system, which is surprising.
In the Tang Dynasty, the beginning and end of curfews were clearly marked by the "beating of street drums". When night falls, the street drums sound, whether it is the common people or the nobles must go home, and when the morning drums sound, ordinary people need to start working, and this is also a signal for civil and military officials to go to court, the strictness of the system can be seen.
The strictness of the curfew system in the Tang Dynasty and the loose openness in the Song Dynasty showed a significant decline in the curfew system. This change was closely related to the Anshi Rebellion, the actual power of the ruling group of the Tang Dynasty was gradually declining after the Anshi Rebellion, and the kings were busy fighting eunuchs, controlling feudal towns and guarding against foreign enemies, and had no time to take care of the "small actions" of the people, which also led to the rise of Fang City among the people.
After the turmoil of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the rise of the Song Dynasty and the great emphasis of the Zhao dynasty on commerce led to the relaxation of the curfew system. Although the curfew system was weakened in the Song Dynasty, it was not completely abolished, but was changed from the original one-shift curfew to a three-shift curfew, which was around 12 o'clock in the middle of the night.
Although it was earlier, it was much more relaxed than the previous curfew of seven to nine o'clock. With this longer time, the entertainment life of the people was also more colorful, including lantern festivals, night markets, small commodity streets, and even late-night takeaway services to satisfy the tastes of diners appeared in the Song Dynasty.
Prosperous in the Song Dynasty"Commodity economy"Against the backdrop, the people have long been accustomed to the lively market at night. Regrettably, however, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the draconian curfew system returned, lasting about 500 years from the beginning of the Ming Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty.
It was not until after the Xinhai Revolution that this system was finally abolished completely. So, what is the real purpose and benefit behind the curfew system that has lasted for thousands of years?
Why don't people go out at night?
The curfew was not imposed on a whim, but was necessary to maintain law and order in times of war. It can not only prevent thieves who break into the house at night, spies from enemy countries and outcasts from other towns from pouring into the towns, but more importantly, in ancient times, population was the foundation of the country, and the "confinement" of the people at home could prompt them to naturally increase the population, thus providing the country with population and tax protection.
As a result, curfews still played an important role in ancient times.
For most of history, people lived more than just reproduction. Depending on their ideals, aspirations, and gender, they engage in a wide variety of activities.
For those who don't have big ideals, there seems to be no other thing to do than sleep and reproduce. However, for those who are interested in achieving a career and want to do their best for their country, reading is the best option.
Wealthy families and the children of eunuchs would use the all-night stay to light their learning path with piles of candles. They hope that through this diligence and hard work, they will pave their careers.
However, poor families could not afford candles and oil lamps, and their children had to study hard under the moonlight. Despite the difficult conditions, there are many such talents.
Kuang Heng was an outstanding figure in the Western Han Dynasty, and his deeds are admirable. According to historical records, Kuang Heng was born in a poor peasant family, and in order to subsidize the family, he had to work hard during the day and could not even eat enough at night.
However, he never gave up on his quest for knowledge. When night fell, he would study the books he had spent a lot of money on. If the moonlight is bright enough, he uses it to read.
If there was no moonlight, he would cut a hole in the wall of his neighbor's house and read by the candlelight of the neighbor's house. His perseverance and determination deeply touched the neighbors, so he was willing to be a slave for Kuang Heng in exchange for the opportunity to study.
It is this indomitable spirit that made Kuang Heng finally become an important ** in the Western Han Dynasty.
Although the ancients did not have as many ways of entertainment as modern times, they were just as colorful. For example, Che Yin and Kuang Heng of the Jin Dynasty, although they had a difficult life, they finally embarked on a career with the spirit of hard study.
There are also Sun Kang and Jiang Mi, who continued to study after the curfew and eventually succeeded. So, if you want to improve your abilities and knowledge, reading books is a very reliable and extensive way.
But in addition to reading, the ancients also had many ways of entertainment, such as enjoying flowers, the moon, and poetry, which were all indispensable parts of the life of the ancients.
Of course, there is a difference in nightlife between the rich and the poor. For the bureaucratic aristocracy or wealthy businessmen, although they cannot go out at night, their nightlife is still colorful.
Some ordinary people may host a banquet at home, dine with friends, chat, play games, and enjoy a cabaret performance. A literate person, on the other hand, might write poetry or play couplet games with friends.
Countries** may discuss some national events. A very small number of princes and nobles would even plot plots against the monarch at night.
The entertainment of the poor is relatively unpretentious, often a group of relatives and friends get together, gossip in the yard, talk about the future, or talk about some interesting stories and gossip of neighbors and villagers, such as which ewe gave birth to several lambs, which little daughter-in-law made any mistakes, and so on.
However, these poor people are not idle, and their elders often tell their children about history and life philosophy to help them plan their future path.