Preface:
Cymbal Mountain, located in Shangrao, Jiangxi, is a mysterious and ancient mountain. Since the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, it has been listed as a forbidden mountain by the emperor, and it has lasted for thousands of years until modern times when it was unsealed. What secrets has it hidden for thousands of years? Is it true that the mountain hides the remains of the ancient immortals as the legend goes? Today, let's explore the secrets of this thousand-year-old mountain.
First, the inside story of the Tang Dynasty emperor's ban on Cymbal Mountain
In the 9th century, at the end of the Tang Dynasty, popular uprisings broke out throughout the country, and the famous Huangchao Uprising broke out during this period. At that time, a group of salt traffickers, fed up with the high taxes and oppression of the Tang Dynasty, gathered in the Jiangxi area to raise their banners and rebel, and their troops were mainly entrenched in Cymbal Mountain, where the three provinces meet.
The terrain of Cymbal Mountain is complex, the transportation is inconvenient, and it is rarely governed by people in normal times. This made it the best stronghold for the rebels. The rebels could easily attack from the mountains and harass the surrounding area. Whenever the officers and troops attacked, they could quickly retreat back into the mountains, as elusive as fish sliding into the sea.
During the uprising, Cymbal Mountain became a field of life and death. Thousands of rebels healed, trained, and died here, countless flags fluttered in the wind, and shouts echoed in the valleys.
After several years of fierce fighting, the Tang Dynasty finally quelled the uprising. However, the wounds inflicted on the country by the uprising are far from healing. The national strength of the Tang Dynasty was greatly reduced, and there were five generations and ten countries within the territory. Every time he thought of the huge losses that this uprising had brought to the Tang Dynasty, the emperor hated it deeply, remembering the disaster brought to him by the cymbal mountain.
"Let this damn mountain disappear!" The angry emperor slapped the dragon chair, "I will ban this place and never let anyone enter!"
Thus, an edict to "die" for the cymbal mountain fell. Anyone who enters the Cymbal Mountain is beheaded.
This is the origin of the ban on Cymbal Mountain. The emperor hoped that by sealing the mountain, it would be erased from people's sight as if it had never existed. No one could have imagined that the anger of an emperor would determine the thousand-year fate of this mountain.
Second, the mountain has been closed for thousands of years, and the ban has never been lifted
After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, five dynasties and ten kingdoms followed. The new dynasty still strictly enforced the mountain closure order. After all, this mountain was also a trouble for them, it had brought disaster to the previous dynasty, and there was no reason to lift the ban.
What's more, hundreds of years after closing the mountain, Cymbal Mountain has become a mysterious forbidden place. Rumors are rife, and many people say that too many unlucky ghosts have been killed here, and they are occupied by ghosts. As long as you get close to the side of the mountain, you can hear the cry of ghosts and wolves, and see murderous evil spirits.
"It's gloomy and scary, and there's only one way to go in." Villagers warn the children.
In this way, closing the mountain has become a habit, a consensus. Even if the Ming and Qing dynasties replaced the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the ban was only slightly relaxed, and no one dared to trespass on this Yin Mountain.
Until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor re-erected a large stone stele: "It is strictly forbidden to enter, otherwise you will be beheaded."
The inscription split the head like this, which frightened all the approaching explorers. For thousands of years, except for a few hermits who were not afraid of death, few people really set foot in the hinterland of this mountain. In this way, it was isolated from the world, becoming a mysterious and desolate virgin land.
Third, the mysterious cymbal mountain confuses countless immortals
The thousand-year ban did not completely isolate Cymbal Mountain. On the contrary, its mysterious color is deeper, attracting countless Immortal Dao practitioners to come to explore the secret.
In their hearts, this deep mountain must contain infinite spiritual energy. Otherwise, why did the emperor ban it for thousands of years? There must be relics left by the ancient immortals in the mountains, just waiting for people with fortune to excavate.
"Maybe I can get the secret of immortality in the mountains!" A cultivator's eyes burst with eagerness, and he rubbed his fists and prepared to break into this pure land.
These hermits braved the hardships and dangers, taking advantage of the dead of night to sneak over the ridge. They walk through the dense primeval forest, harboring an infinite longing for the fairy world.
Some hermits even meditate in caves for decades, looking for ways to open fairy gates. Others died during expeditions, and the remains remained in the mountain and became part of the mountain.
It can be said that without these persistent Immortal Path explorers, the secret of Cymbal Mountain may never be known to the world. It is their adventurous spirit that allows the mystery of this mountain to be slowly revealed.
Fourth, the Ming Dynasty travelers are full of praise, paradise
In addition to the immortals, there is another group of people who are full of strong interest in Cymbal Mountain, that is, the travelers of the Ming Dynasty.
In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the long-standing lockdown finally showed signs of loosening. Some adventurous travelers set out for this virgin land, hoping to discover secrets that had never been revealed.
The most famous is Xu Xiake. This pioneering figure traveled all over the country, and was naturally full of curiosity about the mysterious Cymbal Mountain.
With the emperor's acquiescence, Xu Xiake took a few attendants and vehicles and set out to explore this deep mountain.
"Dense primeval forests, continuous alpine lakes, everywhere is full of pristine atmosphere!" Xu Xiake wrote in his diary, "I feel like I have come to a paradise after many hardships, which is really a simple and pure land that human civilization has not touched." ”
Indeed, the long-term ban has allowed Cymbal Mountain to preserve a large area of its original appearance. Towering ancient trees and clear mountain lakes are refreshing and comfortable everywhere. This is in sharp contrast to the Jiangnan region, which was densely populated and civilized at that time.
As soon as Xu Xiake's travelogue came out, the theory of "paradise" immediately spread among the literati and inkers. Scholars are eager to see this simple style.
Since then, the cymbal mountain has gradually become known, and its mysterious veil has been unveiled layer by layer.
Fifth, after the unblocking, the original ecology is beautiful
It was not until the mid-20th century, with the dismantling of feudal superstition, that the ban on cymbal mountain was completely abolished.
When the first expeditions entered the mountains, they were stunned by the pristine features that had been preserved.
The dense original forest covers 450,000 acres, with towering ancient trees and lush greenery. There was no one around, only birds and insects. There are still huge trees that can reach several meters in thickness, which is no longer the case in the densely populated Jiangnan region.
The mountains are dotted with 24 square kilometers of alpine lakes, and the Jiuxian Lake and Qixing Lake shine like diamonds at night. The combination of lakes and mountains is like a fairyland on earth.
The expedition climbed to the top of the mountain for a 360-degree view. The low sea of clouds seems to be touchable, and the rolling mountains in the distance are pleasant.
"Such a magnificent natural scenery is really rare." The person in charge sighed with emotion, "We must protect this place and prevent it from being destroyed." ”
As a result, the unsealed cymbal mountain soon became a natural reserve. Strict protections were put in place for it, overexploitation was strictly prohibited, hoping to preserve its original appearance.
Today, we can still see the appearance of the ancient primeval forest in Cymbal Mountain, and feel the tranquility and vitality of nature. All this is thanks to the long history of lockdown, which has spared it the erosion of human activities.
Here, not only the simple natural beauty attracts tourists, but also hides the cultural relics precipitated by history...
Epilogue:
The thousand-year-old confinement has created the unique charm of Cymbal Mountain. It resembles a sleeping beauty, maintaining its original posture in the long seal. When she finally wakes up, the world can also see this rare natural beauty.
It is hoped that Cymbal Mountain will continue to be protected from development and destruction. In the bustling and hustle and bustle of the city, such a paradise is yearning. It is a window for us to watch the vitality of nature and feel the charm of history.