Chao Qianxi Ti and Sunset Chao Qian: The Story Behind the Two Words.
The terms "Chao Qianxiti" and "Sunset Chao Qian" may not seem common in ancient Chinese literature, but in recent years, they have attracted the attention of a wide audience because of a popular TV series called "The Legend of Zhen Huan". Especially when these two words are associated with the famous general of the Qing Dynasty, Nian Qianyao, and the emperor Yongzheng at the time, it triggers a historical story full of drama.
First of all, let's take a look at the word "morning and evening". This word actually originates from the "Zhou Yi Qian" "The gentleman works all day long, and he is not to blame." It describes a person who is diligent and cautious from morning to night, and does not dare to have the slightest slack and negligence. In "The Legend of Zhen Huan", this word has become a customary term for Emperor Yongzheng, and he is often used by him to describe his diligence in governing the country. Therefore, for Yongzheng, this word has a special meaning.
However, when this word was mistakenly written by Nian Qianyao as "Xi Ti Chaoqian", Emperor Yongzheng was furious. In the emperor's view, such a clerical error was a blatant challenge to his personal habits and ideas of statecraft, and a disrespect for his authority. What's more, as a high-ranking general, Nian Qianyao's arrogance and attitude towards no one in his eyes made Yongzheng even more dissatisfied. Therefore, this seemingly minor clerical error became an excuse for Emperor Yongzheng to rectify Nian Qianyao.
As for "Sunset Chaoqian", this word does not appear in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", but we can speculate that it may be a variant of Nian Qianyao when he mistakenly wrote "Chaoqian Xiti". Whether it is "the evening is dry" or "the sunset is dry", the core problem of them is the misunderstanding and misuse of the idiom "the morning and the sun."
Nian Qianyao, a political and military figure in the early Qing Dynasty, once fought the rebellion, pacified Qinghai, and made great contributions to the unification and stability of the country. However, his pride and arrogance eventually led to his tragedy. Not only did he misuse the emperor's idiomatic phrases in his recitals, but he also misspelled "Chao Qianxi Ti" as "Sunset Chao Qian" in a memorial hall in the northwest border, which undoubtedly exacerbated the contradictions between him and Emperor Yongzheng.
In the end, Nian Qianyao was convicted by Emperor Yongzheng on 92 felonies because of this series of mistakes and misconduct. Although Emperor Yongzheng did not forgive Nian Qianyao because of his exploits, he did not directly order his execution, but chose a relatively lenient way and let him commit suicide in prison. Nian Qianyao's tragic end was not only a turning point in his personal fate, but also an important milestone in the political history of the Qing Dynasty.
In general, behind the words "Chao Qian" and "Sunset Chao Qian" concealed the deep-seated contradictions of the Qing Dynasty's political struggle and the delicate relationship between the emperor and the generals. And the tragic fate of Nian Qianyao has left us a profound lesson: no matter how talented and meritorious a person is, if he does not know how to be humble and respectful, he may eventually fail.
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