On Chinese New Year's Eve, families gather together and are full of laughter. However, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, spent time alone in the palace confinement, feeling very empty in his heart.
In order to alleviate this loneliness, he decided to change into civilian clothes and quietly walked out of the palace to see how the people of the capital celebrated this special day. Core idea: Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was alone on Chinese New Year's Eve, feeling empty in his heart, and decided to change into civilian clothes and quietly walk out of the palace to see the lively scene of the people in the capital celebrating the festival.
Zhu Yuanzhang's life has been full of twists and turns, and he has experienced ups and downs. He was poor since childhood, and had to herd cattle to survive, and after his father died, he became a beggar again, starving to study. Later, he defected to Guo Zixing, and with the enthusiastic help of Queen Ma, after a long battle, he finally unified the whole country and established the Ming Dynasty.
However, behind his achievements and fame is a sense of loneliness that no one can understand. His beloved Queen Ma died of illness three years ago, but his sons only cared about his inheritance.
In order to avoid suspicion, the ministers in the court trembled when they saw him. All this made him feel that his country was not his own. In this Spring Festival, Zhu Yuanzhang especially misses Queen Ma.
Queen Ma liked the Chinese New Year the most during her lifetime, and she was always busy with a smile on her face, so that the palace was full of strong New Year's flavor. How nostalgic it is to think back to those days!
Empress Ma would prepare pastries and refreshments and cook the emperor's favorite dishes herself.
Every nook and cranny of the palace is filled with mouth-watering aromas of food, and Queen Ma's handmade pastries are among the best. Whenever the emperor tasted it, he was always amazed by Queen Ma's cooking skills.
Empress Ma would also personally deliver the pastries to the princes' palaces and warmly inquire about their current situation. That harmonious family atmosphere is still fresh in my mind. Empress Ma also paid great attention to the emperor's daily life.
She would personally wash and change the emperor's clothes every day, carefully grooming and dressing, and repeatedly told the eunuchs and maids to take care of them. When Zhu Yuanzhang was bathing, Queen Ma would prepare snacks and hot tea made by her own hands on the side, and accompany him softly; When changing, she will help him choose the best dragon robe, and then personally help him put it on and tidy up.
Zhu Yuanzhang enjoyed Queen Ma's careful care very much and felt her deep love. These warm moments can only be memories these days. After the death of Queen Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang's heart became empty and lonely.
He longed to feel loved and cared for again, but none of this was possible. This Spring Festival, Zhu Yuanzhang especially misses Queen Ma. If she were still there, he would surely be able to taste her delicacies again and hear her gentle voice; I will definitely be able to feel her meticulous care again, and I will no longer be so lonely.
On the eve of the Spring Festival, Zhu Yuanzhang found a distressing scene on the streets of Beijing: there were few pedestrians on the street, and it was lifeless. It turned out that in order to prevent disasters from causing trouble, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered that people should not go out during the Spring Festival, and the markets were closed in advance.
As a result, everyone was forced to stay at home, and there was no New Year's atmosphere. Last year's Chinese New Year's Eve, the capital was bustling. The whole city is brightly lit, and the aroma of Chinese New Year's Eve dinner fills the air.
The streets and alleys are crowded with shops with red paper, and the clay sculptures of auspicious zodiac signs painted on the walls are particularly eye-catching. Crowds of people come and go with smiles on their faces, carrying items needed for the festival.
The children blushed and shouted to buy New Year's pictures and lanterns. Although the scenery is not there now, the atmosphere is more enthusiastic. People rushed to set off firecrackers and light fireworks in the streets.
The sound of crackling firecrackers, combined with colorful fireworks, decorates the simple night sky with extra excitement. Many people also held gongs and drums and joined in the celebration as they walked happily.
Once upon a time, families walked the streets hand in hand to feel the excitement of the festival. Children stare at the sugar gourds, and parents also buy a few bunches as holiday gifts. The vendor smiled and said, "The sugar gourd is sweet, and the new year will be sweet." ”
However, this year, the originally bustling streets were empty, and loneliness spread all over the land. Families were forced to stay at home, and there was no atmosphere for the New Year. This made Zhu Yuanzhang's heart heavy, and this dead silence made him feel unprecedented desolation and loneliness.
He seemed to see the disappointed eyes of the people, imagining that they were helpless to stay at home, and they couldn't even hear a firecracker.
He knew that he had planned it all by himself, but he couldn't change it. For the monarch, it is a necessary skill to prevent the slightest problem and control the emotions of the people. Only by severely punishing and not lending money can we ensure the status and the stability of the country.
However, the silence of the moment silently examined the decision he had made. He realized that it was human nature that the people of a place needed joy and hope, that they needed days to celebrate, that they needed opportunities to laugh together.
The stability he has traded for power seems to have lost some life. Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly and continued to walk aimlessly. Perhaps power will never satisfy people's inner pursuit of vitality, just like those unlit fireworks that have lost their original color.
Zhu Yuanzhang walked into a remote mansion, and the sign "Zuoye Mansion" was hung at the door. This is the small yamen who is in charge of the palace chores. Zhu Yuanzhang pushed the door in, it was dim inside, only one servant was smoking, and there was still unfinished food and wine on the table.
When the little official saw Zhu Yuanzhang, he quickly stood up and saluted. Zhu Yuanzhang invited the little official to sit down, and he also sat down opposite, picked up the wine jug and poured a big sip. The little official looked at him in surprise, and Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, and it's too lonely to drink alone."
You have a drink with me, and let's talk. ”
The little official looked at Zhu Yuanzhang wearing ordinary clothes, and didn't know that he was the emperor. He said with some hesitation: "This....I'm on the night shift and can't leave here. ”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Just the two of us, no one will know." Come, today is Chinese New Year's Eve, let's have two drinks together and celebrate our hard work! ”
The little official finally let down his guard, picked up the flask and tasted it. The two soon became close and began to talk to each other. Zhu Yuanzhang learned that the little official's surname was Wang, his name was Shun, he was Chinese New Year's Eve years old today, and he had been a miscellaneous servant in Zuoye Mansion for five years.
He is from far away Shanxi, and his parents are still farming in their hometown. He has been in the capital alone for ten years to make a living, and he can only send money home every festival, but he has never gone back to see his parents.
After hearing about Wang Shun's life experience, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but think of his parents. He sighed deeply: "I have been adrift in this capital for more than ten years, I am worried about the physical condition of my parents, and we should go home to see them more."
As a son, he should have cared more about his family. Wang Shun deeply agrees: "The competition in officialdom is very fierce, and it is not easy to go home to visit your parents. I'm just a handyman in Zuoye Province now, and my salary is barely enough to make ends meet.
It takes a few years to get promoted to a high position before you can go home with peace of mind. Zhu Yuanzhang was silent after hearing this, he knew that what Wang Shun said was the truth. In order to pursue their careers and gain experience, many people have to leave home for many years.
It's also part of how the dynasty works, and everyone works for their own future.
It's great to be able to celebrate the festival in Beijing this year. Originally, I was going to go home, but as a new servant, I had to stay here for the night shift. I can't be reunited with my family, but I think it's an honor to be able to protect the palace. "
Wang Shun said firmly. Zhu Yuanzhang felt his loneliness and tenacity from Wang Shun's words, and couldn't help but be in awe of him. He saw that this little official did not hesitate to give up the reunion with his family for the sake of responsibility, and spent the festival alone in the deserted yamen.
He was deeply moved by his selfless dedication. Although Wang Shun is only a small official, he has lofty ideals in his heart. In order to protect the palace, even on lonely festival nights, he stuck to his post without any complaints.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw that this seemingly ordinary little official had a fiery heart. It is precisely because of such a group of silently dedicated people that the palace and the entire dynasty can operate stably.
Zhu Yuanzhang recounted his experience, although he had achieved success in his career, his heart was full of pain and loneliness. He lost the person he loved the most, and the people around him stayed away because of who he was.
He hopes to be like ordinary people, without so much responsibility and pressure, and to be free. Wang Shun was silent for a while after hearing this, and then said seriously: "The pressure that Your Majesty is under is indeed unimaginable to us.
However, it is precisely because of your special status that your presence is essential to the stability and unity of the country. Although His Majesty's ability is limited, he hopes to do his part to share the burden of His Majesty. ”
Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply touched and had not heard such words for a long time. Since the death of Queen Ma, the government and the opposition have not dared to get too close because of his suspicions. However, a mantra from a small official made his heart, which he had hidden for many years, collapse instantly.
He realized that the burden and loneliness he had always thought were not impossible to change. Perhaps the true love and support lies in those places that he has neglected. Perhaps that willingness to give, and the need to be heard, actually exists in the depths of everyone's heart.
On that Chinese New Year's Eve, Wang Shun's appearance was like a dawn that illuminated Zhu Yuanzhang's heart. He realized that the ruler and the ruled are closely related, and the prosperity of the monarch is inseparable from the nourishment of the people.
The two talked happily together, each confiding their own stories, and before they knew it, a few hours had passed. As the night deepened, Wang Shun said that he was going to inspect, and Zhu Yuanzhang reluctantly got up to say goodbye.
Early the next morning, Wang Shun, who was still in a dream, was awakened by a messenger from the palace and said that the Holy Lord was going to summon him. Wang Shun respectfully came to the Jinluan Palace, only to see the man who had drunk with him last night sitting on the dragon chair high above.
Wang Shun instantly understood that the person he was close to last night was Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang! Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Wang Shun's surprise with satisfaction, and then showed a friendly smile. He announced the appointment of Wang Shun as the governor of Zuoye Prefecture and was directly promoted to ten levels.
The ** people present were stunned, how did the little official who came a month ago become the prefect? Zhu Yuanzhang explained: "Wang Shun works day and night, with the world in mind, he is my most loyal and patriotic courtier!"
I've been on the throne since I came to the throne, and I've finally found a confidant. Since then, Wang Shun began his career as an official, and later became an official to the military department, and his name was changed to "Yang Rong".
Every Chinese New Year's Eve, Zhu Yuanzhang would always summon him alone, drink with him, and relive the joy and warmth of that night.
Whenever future generations mention this magnificent historical story, they will be full of emotion, and it turns out that the majestic founding emperor also has such a deep and lonely side. And an ordinary Chinese New Year's Eve made him find resonance, and also let an ordinary official open his dream in life.
The encounter between Zhu Yuanzhang and Wang Shun was like a bright light in the long night, illuminating two lonely hearts. That chance Chinese New Year's Eve encounter connected two people who were originally out of reach.
A lonely emperor, a silently dedicated little official, the two hearts found resonance at this important moment. Perhaps, in each of us, there is the same loneliness and expectation hidden.
We are all passers-by in this world, we all crave the meaning of our existence, and we all want to be understood and heard.
The appearance of Wang Shun made Zhu Yuanzhang begin to understand his responsibilities as a ruler, and he also realized that he was no different from the people. Power does not completely fill the emptiness of the heart, listening and understanding are the keys to experiencing the true meaning of life.
And Zhu Yuanzhang's confession also made Wang Shun realize the value of his ordinary life. A person's hard work, whether small or not, will add warmth to this world.
As long as there is a little light in our hearts, we can infect each other, and we will eventually usher in the dawn of dawn. This Chinese New Year's Eve inspired two hearts and warmed the entire dynasty.
When true understanding is born, the gap between privilege and ordinariness dissolves. The warmth of the world is always accumulating changes, waiting for us to discover and feel.