Introduction
In the corridor of Chinese history, there is a shocking story that takes place during the Qianlong period, and its protagonist is an ordinary fruit farmer. It is said that Emperor Qianlong tried the fruit of the roadside melon seller by chance and praised its taste. But what was unexpected was that after only walking a hundred steps, Qianlong's expression suddenly changed, and the unfortunate melon seller was finally sentenced to death.
What kind of complex plot does the story behind this contain that makes the emperor's momentary favor fleeting and becomes a deadly nightmare for melon farmers? This article will lead readers back to that era, ** the truth behind the Qianlong melon eating incident, and uncover the historical secrets hidden in it.
In that era full of intrigue, a seemingly relaxed story of eating melons actually hides a deep political conspiracy. Let's unveil the mystery of history together and gain an in-depth understanding of the amazing inside story behind this Qianlong melon-eating incident.
1. The Emperor's Secret Parade
In the middle of the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the world was peaceful and the treasury was abundant. The young emperor, who was frugal and austere when he first ascended the throne, became addicted to the pleasures of going out and cruising as time passed. That summer, Qianlong had a whim and decided to go to Jiangnan to escape the summer. In fact, this is the third year in a row that he has chosen to go to the Gangnam area in the summer to escape the heat. He never hesitated about the hardships of this journey. Clearly, he was attracted to the comforts of life in the palace and sought out the excitement and novelty of life.
On this outing, Qianlong ordered to keep it absolutely confidential, indicating that he was tired of being followed by a large group of ** every time he traveled. This time, he only brought a few cronies and guards with him, and decided to conduct a thorough private visit to Weifu. So, in the early morning before dawn, Qianlong led several guards to set off in a hurry. It was the height of summer, the daytime temperature was extremely high, and the green fields beside the road made the world feel like a big steamer. When they arrived somewhere in the south of the Yangtze River, the sun was already high and the group was dry. Luckily, there is a watermelon field not far away.
Qianlong signaled the guards to pause, and decided to rest in the shade under a grass hut to see when the melon farmer would wake up. Soon, the melon farmer woke up and found that there were guests visiting, so he hurriedly invited Qianlong and his party into the shed to rest, and personally selected a few of the largest and sweetest watermelons for treats.
The melon farmer seems to have a different eye and recognizes these guests at a glance as extraordinary. Although Qianlong's dress is simple, you can feel an extraordinary temperament from their demeanor. The melon farmers speculated that they might be related to the imperial court**, so they were particularly enthusiastic.
While enjoying the cold watermelon while enjoying the cool shade of the trees, they finally felt the heat dissipate along the way. Qianlong praised again and again: "It's really a good melon!" The weather is really good this year, so your melons will grow big and sweet! The melon farmer hurriedly nodded in agreement, saying that this is indeed the case, thanks to the abundant rain this year. The two chatted speculatively, and before they knew it, a long time had passed.
Second, the insistence and refusal of melon farmers
After eating, Qianlong began to talk to the melon farmers. I originally thought that he was just a simple fruit farmer, but I didn't expect that he not only had a lot of knowledge of the local customs, but also had a deep insight into the government and politics. The melon farmer has his own unique analysis of the policy changes in recent years, which makes Qianlong look at this seemingly ordinary farmer with admiration.
Qianlong believed that such talents were rare, and if they could be used by the country, they would definitely be able to make great achievements. He secretly considered how to keep the melon farmers and let them enter the imperial court. Qianlong asked tentatively: "You are so well-informed, have you ever considered entering Beijing as an official and doing something for the people?" ”
However, the melon farmer just shook his head in refusal, saying that he was content with his current life and did not want to get involved in officialdom. He admits that his free and easy lifestyle is more desirable to him, and he thinks that he is not good at officialdom and is worried that it will be difficult to take on heavy responsibilities.
Although Qianlong was disappointed, he did not force it too much. He understands that it is difficult for a talented person to be moved by power if he cares about others. This also made Qianlong worry - if such a person is not used for his own use, he may become a potential threat.
3. Outspoken melon farmers
Before leaving, Qianlong asked the melon farmer again if he would change his mind and try it in Beijing. Unexpectedly, the melon farmer patted Qianlong's shoulder directly, which made Qianlong stunned. But then, the melon farmer said to Qianlong affectionately: "King, have you tasted the sweetness of watermelon, have you also experienced the bitterness and joy of life?" Life is like this, after experiencing wind and rain, you can see the rainbow. We should all remember that we should not covet temporary comfort and forget the value of suffering. ”
Qianlong was silent, leaving Yin Liang to leave in a hurry. He realized that he had been rejected again, and this time the rejection was not just a rejection of an official position, but a subtle criticism of his imperial power.
Fourth, the end of the tragedy
Along the way, Qianlong repeatedly pondered the words of the melon farmer and his eyes. He realized that this was a reminder not to forget the hardships of the past. A person who would rather grow melons for the rest of his life is no longer under Qianlong's control. Considering the possible consequences, Qianlong was full of uneasiness and finally gave the order to execute the melon farmer.
Although the guards were puzzled, they did not dare to question it, so they could only carry it out. When they returned to the melon field, they found that the melon farmer had disappeared, leaving only an empty melon shed. After some searching, nothing was found. The guards could only report the situation to Qianlong, who sighed and did not pursue it anymore.
Although this story has not been recorded in the official history, it has been passed down by word of mouth among the people, reminding future generations that the vagaries of imperial power and the fragility of life are unbearable. When true loyalty meets absolute power, it is often difficult to escape the tricks of fate. A simple tasting of watermelon turned into a life-and-death tragedy. This is the sorrow of the imperial power, and it is also the sorrow of loyalty.
Conclusion
However, can this story be attributed only to the willfulness of the imperial power? In fact, both Qianlong and melon farmers have their own responsibilities. Qianlong met a virtuous person but hoped to manipulate and use it, and failed to accept it with an enlightened attitude; Although the melon farmer has insight, he chooses to escape, which also reflects a selfish mentality.
In the present, this story also seems to tell us: as citizens, we should not only focus on the small world of individuals, but should have a broader vision and contribute to society; ** We should listen to the voice of the people and sincerely communicate with talents, rather than simply using or excluding them. The real Ming Jun and the virtuous minister need the intentions and understanding of both sides. This may be the deep meaning that the story of melon farmers in the Qianlong era really wants to convey. **10,000 Fans Incentive Plan