In the long course of history, the actions of emperors are often full of legends, and Emperor Qianlong was a versatile, benevolent and stern monarch. In 1796, after Qianlong's abdication, he held a huge banquet and invited more than 3,000 elderly people to participate in the grand event. The banquet, which was meant to show royal benevolence and majesty, unexpectedly led to a series of harrowing events. Why did the gathering of more than 3,000 elderly people turn into a tragedy of life and death? What is the reason behind this? Today, we will uncover this dusty history and explore the secrets hidden behind the luxurious banquet.
Emperor Qianlong, the veteran ruler of the Qing dynasty for nearly sixty years, abdicated in 1795 and passed the throne to Aixin Jueluo Yanyan, later Emperor Jiaqing. As a grandchild who deeply admired his predecessor, Emperor Kangxi, Qianlong did not want to break his grandfather's record of 61 years of reign, so he chose to leave the center of power at this time.
After his abdication, Qianlong did not completely retire behind the scenes, he was still active in political and social activities. On the Lunar New Year of 1796, Qianlong decided to emulate the Kangxi Emperor's good deeds and hold a grand banquet. This banquet is not only a tribute to the elderly, but also a demonstration of the new emperor Jiaqing's respect and love for the older generation.
The banquet is open to a wide range of people, from relatives of the emperor to ordinary people, as long as they are over 70 years old, they are eligible to be invited. Emperor Qianlong specifically raised the age standard for attending the banquet from 60 to 70 years old, which at the time seemed to be a higher respect for the elderly. Moreover, the number of people invited exceeded 3,056, and the scale of the scene was unprecedented.
At the banquet, Qianlong did not hesitate to show the royal magnificence. Pearls, gemstones, rare delicacies are served in turn, singing and dancing, a jubilant scene. Each old man also received a special gift from Qianlong - a beautiful longevity stick. These shou sticks are not ordinary wood, but are made of priceless yellow rosewood, and the top is decorated with rhinoceros horns, and the shou character is carved from sterling silver, which looks extraordinary.
Behind the lavish banquet, there is an untold tragedy. After the banquet, many elderly people suffered a sharp deterioration in their health due to physical exhaustion and excessive eating. Sadly, some elderly people even died on the way back. This situation caused quite a stir in society at the time, and many people began to question the true meaning of this banquet.
Emperor Qianlong's reaction to this incident was also remarkable. Although his intention was to show respect and love for the older generation, in the face of these tragedies, he had to think deeply and reflect on whether it was an accident caused by his own vanity. Emperor Qianlong was a person who valued traditional culture and filial piety in his heart, and this situation was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.
The holding of this banquet also reflected some contradictions and problems in the society at that time. Although the Qing Empire reached its peak during the Qianlong period, not everyone could enjoy the wealth and glory of the royal family. For the average seventy-year-old, the long journey to Beijing to attend a banquet is a huge burden in itself. Coupled with the severe cold of winter and inadequate medical conditions, these may have contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has also raised concerns about the living conditions of the elderly. In those days, the social status of older people was often closely related to family relationships and economic conditions. Although there is a tradition of favor and respect for the elderly by the imperial court, this cannot fully guarantee the life of every old man in his old age. Although Emperor Qianlong had good intentions, he failed to fully take into account the actual situation in the implementation process, which is also a point that he needs to reflect on.
Faced with such a situation, Emperor Qianlong had mixed feelings. This banquet is probably one of the most reluctant memories of his life. Although he tried to perpetuate and promote the culture of filial piety in this way, the result was counterproductive. This makes one think that even the most powerful emperor will inevitably be limited by his personal ideas and the background of the times.
In the long river of history, Emperor Qianlong's banquet undoubtedly left a profound lesson. It is not just a banquet, but a profound reflection on power, responsibility and the dignity of the elderly. This incident made Qianlong and the officials of the Qing Dynasty as a whole have to reconsider how to respect and care for the elderly, and avoid unnecessary sacrifices caused by great achievements.
Emperor Qianlong's banquet was originally intended to show the grace and majesty of the royal family, but it unexpectedly turned into a tragedy. This event not only gives us a glimpse of the humanity and limitations of an emperor, but also reflects the challenges of the era to the lives of the elderly. History always makes people think deeply, even the most gorgeous banquet cannot match the respect and reflection on the essence of life. Today, this history still has its own unique inspiration and value, reminding us that we should pay more attention to the basic needs and dignity of human beings in the pursuit of external glory and glory.