From the creation of the imperial system by Qin Shi Huang in 221 BC to the abdication of Emperor Xuantong in 1912, the emperor system existed in China for a total of 2,132 years. During this long period of 2,132, there were a total of 376 emperors (some say more than 400), of which about 300 emperors have a clear record of their birth and death years.
Historians have made special statistics on the average life expectancy of these emperors, and although the conclusions are different, they are roughly 39 years old and 39Between 6 and 41 years old.
In general, the average life expectancy of emperors was about 40 years old, which is only half of the average life expectancy of famous doctors and monks who have recorded longevity in history. Although the emperor was revered as "long live", it was difficult to get through the hurdle of 40 years old.
Why?
Through the study of the age distribution of 300 emperors, we can see that more than 60% of emperors lived no more than 50 years. This data comes from Shi Lingge's "The Health and Politics of the Emperor: A Study of the Disease of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty".
Abundant material conditions are not always good for health. Historically, many emperors suffered from diseases of wealth and nobility because of their enjoyment of fatty and sweet food, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, obesity, etc.
February**Dynamic Incentive Plan Many ancient emperors died without illness, which may actually be because of cerebrovascular diseases. For example, emperors such as Fu Jian of Former Qin, Murong De of Southern Yan, Helian Bobo of Great Xia, Zhang Liang of Former Liang, Li Shou of Cheng Han, Lü Guang of Later Liang, and Fuqu Mengxun of Northern Liang all died of cerebrovascular diseases.
Among them, the emperor of the Song Dynasty was the group with the highest incidence of cerebrovascular diseases. Of the nine emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty, four suffered from cerebrovascular diseases. When they have cerebrovascular disease, they often have symptoms such as speech loss and mobility problems.
For example, 54-year-old Song Renzong Zhao Zhen suddenly suffered an acute cerebrovascular disease at night, and suffered from aphasia after the onset of the disease. Although the imperial physician quickly arrived and prescribed medicine**, it was too late, and Song Renzong died in just two hours.
Obesity in Ancient Emperors: The Deadly Killer Obesity in ancient emperors has been a problem that cannot be ignored in history, as obesity has become a fatal killer for many emperors.
Liu Yu, Emperor of the Song and Ming Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty, was one of them, and he was famous for his gluttony and obesity, especially puffer fish and bacon. Due to his excessive appetite, his weight increased dramatically, even to the point where he couldn't do anything.
Therefore, he forcibly dragged his pregnant brothers and daughters-in-law into the palace, and when he gave birth to a boy, he killed his mother as his own. As a result, Liu Yu died at the age of 34.
And Mingrenzong Zhu Gaochi is also a typical obese emperor, he is described in the "History of the Ming Dynasty" as obese, immobile, need two chamberlains to help him move, and always stumble.
Although he is the eldest son of Ming Chengzu Zhu Di, due to obesity, Zhu Di does not like him and almost can't ascend the throne. However, Zhu Gaochi eventually ascended the throne as he wished, but he died just 10 months later at the age of 47.
Portrait of Emperor Injong described.
Emperors throughout history have said with deep feeling: "I feel that my body is hollowed out." "For the emperor, even if they sit on the country and face the beauties of the harem, they all know that indulgence is not beneficial to the body, and restraint and sexual intercourse are the way to maintain health, but they still can't control their hormone secretion.
Emperor Wucheng of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Gao Zhan's favorite retainer and Shi Kai, once advised Gao Zhan to enjoy himself in time, saying: "Since ancient times, no emperor has been spared, Yao, Shun, Ji, and Xuan, aren't they all turned to ashes?" Your Majesty should enjoy himself while he is young, which is the greatest joy in life. ”
Gao Zhan did not hesitate to implement this "advice", and after only four years as emperor, he died due to excessive alcohol at the age of 32.
Song Zhezong Zhao Xu was indulgent when he was young, and suffered from chronic prostatitis symptoms of "back pain, white matter in the stool" and "slippery discharge". Due to excessive sexual intercourse, his body was weak, his resistance was reduced, and his tuberculosis worsened, and he died at the age of 24.
Song Huizong Zhao Ji did not have an outstanding performance in governing the country, but his pursuit of women was a must. According to historical records, he each.
In five or seven days, a new woman will be lucky, and they will be promoted, and they will be promoted to one level after being pampered once in a row.
This point promotion system is said to have been invented by him first. And after his son Song Qinzong ascended the throne, he released more than 6,000 palace maids. Based on this figure, we can speculate that the number of palace maids in the Huizong period was at least 10,000.
And Huizong's other son, Song Gaozong Zhao Gou, although not casual in some aspects, is unambiguous in terms of women. Historical records record that he was "lustful as a father, and served many dead".
Chinese Emperor Lifespan Ranking, Who Lives the Longest? Some people will say that it is Kangxi, and some people will say that it is Qianlong, but in fact, the longest-lived emperor is Song Gaozong. The runaway emperor who suffered from severe "gold-phobia" took the initiative to take the throne when he was in his 50s, successfully abdicated and continued his life, and even lived to be in his early 80s, creating a peak of life expectancy among the emperors of the Song Dynasty.
In contrast, the last emperor of China to die of indulgence should be Emperor Tongzhi. It is said that Emperor Tongzhi indulged in male pets at a young age, and often accompanied by Prince Gong's son Zai Cheng and Wang Qingqi, the attendant of Hanlin Academy, he traveled in micro-clothes, and spent time in Nancheng Liulichang and Badahu, indulging in indulgence and lewd pleasure.
It wasn't until the next morning that he sneaked back into the palace. As a result, the 19-year-old young emperor died young. Officially, his condition was smallpox, but it has been rumored to be syphilis.
Emperor Tongzhi died young.
Taking pills: the death of emperors Many emperors have sought the power of pills, whether it is for aphrodisiac and kidney replenishment, immortality, or disease, prostitution and heirship.
However, they often ignore the poison of the elixir and eventually lead to a quick death. The emperors who took the pills, the causes of their deaths varied. Some died of poisoning due to overdose; Some were poisoned and died violently after eating Fang Shijin's medicine of gold and stone; Some of them are because of long-term use of pills containing arsenic, mercury, and cinnabar, and finally they inevitably die of indulgence.
The emperors of the Tang and Ming dynasties were the craziest drug addicts, and most of their deaths were related to the use of pills. Tang Taizong, Tang Gaozong, Wu Zetian, Tang Xuanzong, Tang Xianzong, Tang Muzong, Tang Jingzong, Tang Wenzong, Tang Wuzong, Tang Xuanzong, Tang Xizong and many other emperors died due to taking pills.
Among the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, 9 people took pills, and the cause of their death was not only seeking longevity, but also ** disease, aiding prostitution and seeking heirs. Emperors who took pills rarely learned their lessons.
Their bodies are hollowed out, their body resistance is reduced, and they are susceptible to various diseases. Their bodies gradually weakened and eventually collapsed as a result of taking pills.
The emperors who took the pill, the cause of their death was often due to ignoring the poison of the pill, which eventually led to a quick death. Their story should be a wake-up call for us to understand that health is the most important thing, and the pursuit of immortality is just a fantasy after all.
According to historical records, the cause of Emperor Yongzheng's death is still disputed to this day, and there is a theory that he may have been poisoned by taking too many pills.
The longevity of emperors was closely related to environmental factors such as peace and stability, wars and strife during their reigns. Those emperors who ruled in peaceful and stable dynasties often died early due to illness, such as the Western Han Dynasty, Northern Song Dynasty, and Southern Song Dynasty; And when the imperial power fell or a dynasty was about to end, the emperors often died unexpectedly, such as the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Five Dynasties period, which mostly died of various suicides and homicides.
According to statistics, nearly one-third of China's emperors died by suicide or homicide. Only those emperors who have high consciousness and good luck, and whose empire is on the rise, can live a long life.
For example, Emperor Kangxi, who lived to be 69 years old, once said that when people reach old age and experience many things, they are less likely to be deceived. He used to laugh at those Taoist priests who boasted of practicing the Dharma, but when he observed that those Taoist priests also grew old and sick, he realized that those so-called warlocks were deceiving people.
He deeply realized that immortals would not come to the world. However, his son Yongzheng did not believe this truth, and he died when he was not yet 60 years old.
His grandson, Qianlong, believed this, and he lived to be 89 years old, setting a record for the longest life of a Chinese emperor. This information comes from Wang Shuang and Xiang Si's "The Court Life of Chinese Emperors", "History Ignored by History" edited by Yang Wen and Pei Xiaomin, "The Health and Politics of Emperors in the Song Dynasty - A Study on the Disease of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty" by Shi Lingge, "The Mystery of the Emperors of the Tang Dynasty", Cheng Zhiqiang's "The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty Took More Pills" and Li Guorong's "Yongzheng and Dandao" and other reference works.