There is such a country that constantly changes stepmothers (colonial countries), and after years of turmoil, finally no longer being a mother "protector" man, and has won freedom and peace.
There is such a country that not only staged a rare scene in the history of the world in which a father succeeds his son to the throne, but also staged one of the greatest man-made disasters of the 20th century!
The country had a population of 7 million at the time, but in just three years, at least 1 million people died under the butcher's knife and became unjust souls.
And the king of this country, seeing that one loves the other, has fallen in love with 19 women and married six wives, but he claims that the person he loves the most is the last, and chooses to paint the palace on the national flag.
The king finally died in a foreign land of Beijing, China.
It is Cambodia. The king is Sihanouk.
History of Cambodia
Located in the southern part of Asia's Indochina Peninsula, Cambodia was formerly known as the Khmer Khmer and its earliest history dates back to prehistoric times.
From the 6th century BC to the 5th century BC, the ancestors of the Cambodian people traveled from Yunnan on the mainland to present-day Cambodia and southern Vietnam, and established the state of Funam in the 1st century.
Funanguo, on the other hand, is the first Southeast Asian country in history to appear in ancient Chinese historical books.
At that time, the Kingdom of Funan was a powerful country, and from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, the material culture of the Kingdom of Funan was developing rapidly, and the king not only annexed the surrounding tribes, but also often sent envoys to China, that is, the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period.
At the end of the 5th century, internal strife began among the rulers, and the kingdom of Funan gradually declined.
In the middle of the 6th century, the northern Ji tribe rose up and established the kingdom of Chenla.
As in many beautiful fairy tales, the prince of Funan married the beautiful princess of Jinla.
After the death of the old king of Chenla Kingdom, Prince Funan succeeded to the throne and became King of Chenla.
Who expected that in the middle of the 7th century, the prince's biological father King Funan, also died, and the prince wanted to concurrently serve as the king of Funan while feeling heartache.
But people are not as good as heavenly calculations, and there is also a legal heir in the Funan Kingdom, that is, the prince of the Funan Kingdom, which makes the prince's original plan stall.
Later, the prince launched a military force to conquer his former home country, the kingdom of Funan, and turned it into a vassal state of Chenla.
In the 8th century, Chenla was divided into Luchenla (present-day Laos) and Shuchenla (present-day Cambodia and India).
At that time, the people of Chenla were very wise, and they created spiritual and material wealth with their hardworking hands.
At the end of the 8th century, Cambodia was invaded by the Javanese and the king was killed, and in the early 9th century, Jayavarman II reunited Chenla.
The same story is played out over and over again in different countries and dynasties.
Looking at a large number of historical materials, we will find that the historical story of the change of dynasty, where there are any fresh dishes, are all back pot meat.
And witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties and historical ups and downs is Cambodia's most famous Angkor Wat.
It is known as Cambodia's national treasure, and if Cambodia is compared to a crown, then Angkor Wat is the brightest pearl in the crown.
The Angkor dynasty from the 9th to the 14th century was the most glorious era in Cambodian history.
During this period, both the construction of temples and the large and regular water conservancy engineering facilities were first-class at that time.
In the 12th century, King Suyevarman II of the Angkor dynasty built Angkor Wat in honor of the patron god Vishnu.
During this period, Cambodia was not only vast, but also powerful. It reached its heyday under Jayavarman VII. At that time, Cambodia became the most prosperous and powerful country in Southeast Asia.
During the more than 600 years of Angkor rule, his territory included the present-day Burmese border, Thailand and most of the Malay Peninsula, bordering Nanmar in China to the north, and the Champa and Mekong Delta in the east.
If cultural relics can speak, then the old man of Angkor Wat will definitely tell us thrilling stories on crutches.
Due to the construction of civil works, the increasing religious conflicts, the killing of each other within the dynasty, the continuous resistance of the toiling people, and the constant war between the dynasty and the neighboring countries, the national strength was greatly weakened.
The influence of the entire dynasty in the surrounding countries also gradually weakened. The once-prosperous Angkor dynasty began to decline until its demise.
Or the reason of the cliché, what is owed always has to be repaid.
The territory, like a cake, is always snatched around.
Large swathes of territory were plundered, eventually becoming a vassal of neighboring countries, ruled alternately by Vietnam and Thailand for a long time.
In 1863, the French invaded, Cambodia became a French colony, was occupied by Japan in 1940, and was reoccupied by France after the surrender of Japan in 1945.
Although Angkor Thom was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries, was the political and religious center of the time, and one of the most prosperous cities in the world, Cambodia did not break away from French rule until 1953.
If you have not experienced the baptism of war epidemic, it is difficult to imagine what the glory of Angkor City in front of you was.
Today, Angkor Wat is left in ruins, hidden in dense forests and weeds.
When you touch the masonry of Angkor Wat, it is like touching the context of Cambodian history.
Every notch on its body is a pourer through time, telling us stories of love and hate.
But in the end, everything is just a firework on the road to countless dynastic changes.
Khmer Rouge massacre
If we are too far away from death, we cannot examine and understand it.
When we shake the rocker arm of history and focus the lens, you will suddenly find that Cambodia under the telephoto lens is like countless sticks of red.
And such a reward was given by Pol Pot.
It turned out that under the struggle of King Sihanouk, after the French compromised, Cambodia truly became independent.
During Sihanouk's rule, Cambodia's society prospered, the economy gradually developed, and the people lived a relatively stable life.
But the good times did not last long, and in 1970, the left-wing Lon Nol, fanned by the United States, staged a coup d'état.
Since then, Cambodia has begun a five-year civil war.
The Khmer Rouge turned the already fearful Cambodia into a blood-stained red sea. Today, people who have experienced it but survived it talk about cotton color change.
It is hard for us to imagine that in the 70s of the 20th century, when human civilization was constantly developing, there was such a huge and terrifying catastrophe.
Uncovering the scars of history, it is not difficult to find that history is always strikingly similar.
The United States, the initiator behind the Russian-Ukrainian war, also single-handedly controlled Cambodia.
At the same time that the US army attacked North Vietnam, it carried out large-scale bombing in Cambodia, causing rivers of blood to be shed.
Like a puppet, the Cambodian Lon Nol government has always been in the hands of the United States.
The Pol Pot government later overthrew the puppet Lonno government.
Just as the Cambodian people beat the gong and drum, joyfully thinking that they had finally ushered in the dawn of victory and would live happily ever after, they did not know that greater darkness was about to engulf them.
In order to realize what Pol Pot called ideal socialism, he used extreme means to confiscate all the private property of innocent people, and then drove the people to the countryside.
Children were denied the opportunity to learn, books were burned, and even libraries were closed to become barracks.
Adults, on the other hand, have to work in the countryside from day to night. All family members must draw a clear line and follow the command in unison, otherwise the slightest disobedience will be killed.
In an instant, all the people living in the city became villagers, and the heavy physical labor day and night left the people scarred.
A large number of Cambodians had to drag their overwhelmed bodies and bask in the scorching sun, and some even died of hunger, overwork, and torture.
Some people who could not bear the hunger to eat locusts were beaten or executed when they were discovered, and their bodies were dumped by the river.
Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge was full of violence and blood.
Pol Pot appeared on the surface as a social transformation, but in fact it was a brutal massacre, which the United Nations defined as genocide.
Why is Pol Pot so rampant?
It turns out that even an ordinary bag of flour has the dream of wanting to become a toast.
Pol Pot grew up in a poor family, and the lack of material resources in his native family could not satisfy his desires and ambitions.
Later, because his two sisters were married to King Sisova Monivang of Cambodia (Sihanouk's grandfather), Pol Pot became even more rampant, carried away, and did not know how to converge as soon as he jumped over the dragon gate.
When Sihanouk came to power, he withdrew Pol Pot's privileges, and Pol Pot held a grudge. Waiting for revenge.
In 1976, Lon Nol betrayed Sihanouk in order to control Cambodia and staged a coup d'état, and eventually the Khmer Rouge stripped Sihanouk of all rights.
Later, Pol Pot came to power and single-handedly created the Khmer Rouge massacre that terrified the Cambodian people.
The Khmer Rouge, also known as the Khmer Rouge, is the collective name of the left-wing forces in Cambodia, and it is also a tool for Pol Pot to seize power and rebel and seize power.
Even the soldiers who returned from the front line sighed that every time they went to the battlefield, they carried their heads and drilled into the tiger's den. But I never expected that the most terrifying hell was the Khmer Rouge.
Escaping the enemy's artillery fire, but not from the cannibalism of his compatriots, is simply a catastrophe.
Perhaps, when history becomes stories, when stories become legends, legends become myths, no one will believe that people and things have happened in this world.
Although, what is in the past, what cannot be passed, will eventually pass.
But when you walk the land of Cambodia and see the precious photos and ruins, you will find that all the legends of the past are true.
The legendary life of King Sihanouk
All human beings on Earth are like a point of light, or a speck of dust that has stayed in that ray of light.
They all have left footprints on the track of time to a greater or lesser extent with their own unique personalities.
One of them, Sihanouk, was as stubborn as a copper pea.
Sihanouk was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1922, and his grandfather Moniwang was the king of Cambodia at that time. As descendants of the two royal families of Norodom and Sisowa, his parents attached great importance to Sihanouk's education.
In order to train and train Sihanouk, he was sent out of the palace as a child and fostered in a farming family.
It is precisely because of this experience that Sihanouk has a deep affection for the land and farmers.
Although he later went into exile several times and lived a life of uncertainty, he never forgot to stand with the people and was deeply loved by the people.
In 1941, Grandfather Moniwang died, and the two royal families fell into a power struggle for the throne.
At that time, France wanted to install a manipulative emperor, and Sihanouk was the most suitable person with the blood of two royal families.
The French authorities immediately decided to drag 19-year-old Sihanouk, who was studying abroad at the time, back from Saigon City, Vietnam, and let him succeed to the throne.
But the colonists miscalculated. Exquisite chess game, a hundred sons to be dropped. When it is not over, how dare you speak lightly about victory and defeat.
In 1941, the young Sihanouk had just succeeded to the throne, and the colonial power of France at the time wanted to further control Sihanouk through political marriage.
So they once again set their sights on the young Sihanouk. The French authorities found a beautiful French lady to talk to Sihanouk.
But Sihanouk, in his bones, was very disgusted with political marriage. For Sihanouk, whether it was his marriage or the power at home and abroad, he was never afraid of, nor would he be a tool for the colonial empire to maintain its rule.
He rejected the "good intentions" of the French and promised the people to achieve national independence by non-violence. He repeatedly negotiated with the French authorities and frequently visited other countries, hoping to achieve national independence with the support of international public opinion.
Finally, in 1953, Sihanouk, on behalf of the Cambodian nation and nation, ushered in Cambodia's true independence in a peaceful manner and as a victor.
During his 11 years on the throne, Sihanouk experienced 19 relationships and married six concubines.
It is said that companionship is the confession of the longest love, and Queen Monile is his soul mate and the person who has been with Sihanouk the longest.
Sihanouk dares to love and hate, looks at the smoke, and is absolutely outstanding.
He is not only proficient in 5 Chinese words, but also has deep knowledge in film, literature, music, art, and sports.
Although versatile, he was born in a royal family, and his life of open and secret fighting did not leave him a little respite.
The fleeting light is more unbearable than the permanent darkness.
Unwilling to be bound by a constitutional monarchy, Sihanouk gave way to his father, Norodom Sulamalit, who became prime minister and foreign minister.
During his administration, Sihanoukville devoted himself to educational reform, built schools of all kinds, and the situation in the country was very good.
However, the long period of colonial rule and the Japanese military occupation during World War II have long damaged Cambodia's vitality. If you want to live better, hugging your thighs is undoubtedly the easiest option.
However, looking at the trajectory of Sihanouk's life, it is not difficult to find that with the world as the plate and all living beings as the son, he stood in the thunder vortex again and again, but never gave up.
In the face of the complex and ever-changing situation of the international community, Sihanouk is keenly aware that Cambodia exists like a small animal, and if it wants to survive in an elephant-like society, it must remain neutral.
He insisted on maintaining friendly relations with China in complete disregard of the opposition of the United States.
However, his neutral attitude attracted the dissatisfaction of many Western countries, which carried out various political interference in Cambodia.
First and foremost is the United States.
With the support of the United States, former Prime Minister Lon Nol staged a coup d'état. Announced the removal of Sihanouk's head of state and the formation of a new government.
Once again, Sihanouk stood on the edge of the cliff.
As an old friend, China has repeatedly aided the Sihanouk-led government despite Western opposition. After years of arduous struggle, Sihanoukville, who went into exile in 1975, finally returned to Cambodia, where he cherished his heart.
Originally, I thought that after returning to China, I could rest and recuperate.
But what awaits him is another bloody storm. The reactionary forces in the country, under the slogan of political purge, have brutally killed many members of the royal family. Of Sihanouk's 14 children, only four princesses and two princes remained.
Although Sihanouk survived, the catastrophe existed like a thorn in Sihanouk's heart forever.
Born into the royal family, his fate was already ill-fated, and Sihanouk, who had no time to grieve, was first placed under house arrest and then forced into exile.
However, there must be grace in the depths of the countercurrent.
At this time, China, an old friend of many years, opened its arms to him again.
As Sihanouk sang in the song, "I met great luck in bad luck, and I found a soulmate here." ”
There is a home that cannot be returned, a country that cannot be returned, and Sihanouk has every taste in his heart.
What if you can't put it down? Even if it is difficult to give up in a thousand ways, it still has to be given up after all.
At this time, Sihanouk realized that if the day is yesterday, then where is the coming day? Although the strings are broken, the song is difficult to extend. But instead of being in mourning all the time, it is better to turn it into strength.
Sihanouk did not dwell on grief, his greatest wish was to wish the mountains and rivers unharmed and the fireworks ordinary. He did not waste a day, mediating in many ways, traveling around the world to win more support.
Finally, God paid off. In 1993, with the support of the international community, Sihanouk became king for the second time.
It is precisely because of Sihanouk's neutrality that Cambodia has spent 16 years of peace.
What Sihanouk has always hoped and wanted to see is that the world will be clear and prosperous.
Sihamoni succeeded to the throne
When the king is old, who to give the throne to becomes a matter of concern.
Afflicted by his advanced age and various illnesses, Sihanouk decided to settle in Beijing.
In 2004, Sihanouk returned from China to his long-separated native Cambodia for the last time as king, passing on to his son Sihamoni.
Unlike his maternal great-grandfather, who married more than 300 concubines, the 70-year-old Sihamoni is still unmarried.
Sihamoni is Sihanouk's 7th son and has lived in Europe since childhood. The experience of studying abroad made him yearn for a free life.
Perhaps inherited from his father's genes, he loved art, loved dance, and was talented in music and drama. If he is not king, he will definitely have a deep knowledge in other fields, or become a top artist.
But his grandmother was afraid that he would inherit the throne, so she sent him to study in the Czech Republic as early as when Sihamoni was 9 years old. So when Lon Nol rebelled, he escaped.
Sihamoni was not interested in politics, disliked the intrigues of the royal family, and never thought of fighting for the throne.
But the arrangement of fate made him irresistible, and he had no intention of inserting willows. The crown was eventually put on Sihamoni's head, and he had to shoulder the mission of reviving the country and the nation.
It is said that he is born from the heart, he has a peaceful mentality, as if there is no wave in the ancient well, gentle and humble, and approachable.
When the people bowed to him, he simply bent down and squatted down to return the salute.
Although Sihamoni held a high position, he only did what he wanted for those who wished. And the people he desires in his heart are the people.
At his coronation, he asked for simplicity as much as possible, and that the money saved could do more for the people.
No matter how fiercely the parties compete for power, no one is disrespectful to Sihamoni.
With his charisma, he conquered the Cambodian people.
He often appears in the fields of ordinary people. Not only did he go to the countryside to help the poor meet the people, personally harvest the crops, and deliver supplies to the victims, but he would also go into the homes of villagers and lift the lids of pots to see if they had enough food rations. Even the old lady in the country saw him and couldn't wait to hug him.
He loved the land and the people as deeply as his father.
The people also poured their love for Sihanouk into Sihamoni. The people always believed that Sihamoni, like his father, cared about the well-being of the people and would surely be a good king.
Some people say that the death of loved ones and loved ones is not a torrential rain, but a long damp life.
Sihanouk died in Beijing in 2012.
Sihamoni was heartbroken. This unspeakable pain continued to spread in Sihamoni's heart.
For the people, for the country. He suppressed the grief in his heart and let this dampness give birth to moss.
In order to let the people live a stable life, Sihamoni has been actively campaigning for many years and sharing happiness and hardship with the people. He did not intervene in any party struggle and devoted himself to promoting peace and economic development.
He devoted his life and energy to his people. Although he is still unmarried, he loves his people like a son and lives the meaning of this life.
Sihamoni has no heirs, so the question is, to whom should the throne be passed on in the future?
Looking at the rise and fall and replacement of dynasties, it is an inevitable law of historical development.
Life is a journey with no return, and on this ordinary road, every life meanders forward under the framework of time, whether poor or rich.
The Cambodian national anthem, the lyrics of "Kingdom of Angkor" read:
God blesses our king and grants him happiness and glory, and rules over our souls and destiny.
The inheritance of ancestors is passed down from generation to generation, leading to proud ancient kingdoms.
The temple sleeps in the forest, recalling the glory of the Angkor era, and the Khmer nation is as strong and tenacious as a rock.
The fate of Cambodia I believe in the fact that our kingdom has been tested for a long time.
Sometimes, what we may not be able to let go of is not the people and things of the past, but the past years.
Before the exam, everyone brushes the real questions and is prepared. But everything that happened in history is a real problem, never simulated, no matter how the stars change.
All of them will eventually turn into a glimmer of light in the galaxy.
Through the door of history, we can always glimpse the trajectory of the actions of predecessors, love and hatred through the cracks of the door.
In the dark, the light illuminates us, looking into the distance...
Resources:
"Zongheng", "Cambodia", "General History of Cambodia", "Sihanoukville"
Sihanouk's Memoirs, Introduction to Southeast Asian Culture, Socio-Economic and Social Geography of Cambodia
[Author]: Good friends like clouds
[Responsible editor]: Chi Hong