Preface
In the long history of mankind, famine is a shadow that has loomed over people's lives from time to time. When food is scarce and people are hungry, their survival instincts push them to make all sorts of unbelievable choices.
However, in ancient times, when famine occurred, even though the rivers were rich in fish and shrimp, the people preferred to eat grass roots and gnaw on tree bark rather than catch the delicacies in the water. What is it that makes them make such a choice?
The yoke of feudal thought
At the height of the Tang Dynasty, King Li had a different view of the carp species. They believe that carp is homophonic with their own surname, and eating it will ruin the fortunes of the country. As a result, the imperial court promulgated a harsh law -- those who eat carp will be punished with 60 rods! This is undoubtedly an extreme oppression of the common people.
In those days of scarcity, fish was supposed to be a valuable ingredient. However, this ban completely expelled him from the people's tables. Even celebrities such as the poet Wang Wei have to cover up their "sins" in their poems. It can be seen that this absurd practice has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and has become an insurmountable taboo.
What's more, the Zhu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty also targeted the word "pig". The folk have to call it vaguely "Wanli Hum" and "Fat". Although the eating of pork is not completely banned, this kind of godly chatter also reflects the absurd thinking of the feudal ruling class. They believe that as long as some trivial food is associated with their surname, it will affect the fortunes of the country and therefore have to be banned.
This practice is undoubtedly an extreme oppression of the Lebanese people. In that era of scarcity, they could not meet even the most basic needs for survival, but they were subject to these absurd prohibitions. It can be said that feudal ideas are like a sharp sword hanging over their heads, which may fall at any time.
The ravages of war
In addition to the shackles of feudal thought, war was the main culprit that led to the famine in ancient times. In that era of cold weapons, the core of war was to compete for "money" and "food". However, where did this money and food come from? Yes, it was drawn from the rations of the Li people.
What's more, conscription often takes away the head of the family and his son, leaving only the women and children at home. Naturally, the land was barren. Even if it was a good year, it would have come to naught under the ravages of war. This is undoubtedly a double blow to the people of Lebanon.
The war not only took their lives, but also deprived them of the resources they needed to survive. In that era of scarcity, once the ravages of war were devastated, famine would ensue. Even a good year cannot escape the clutches of war. It can be said that war is the main culprit that led to the frequent famines in ancient times.
What is even more distressing is that all this stems from the selfish desires of the feudal ruling class. In order to maintain their power, they did not hesitate to sacrifice the interests of the Lebanese people. In their eyes, the common people are nothing more than objects that can be exploited at will, and their right to life is not taken to heart at all. Such cruel practices have undoubtedly exacerbated the suffering of the Lebanese people.
The relentlessness of natural disasters
Of course, natural disasters are also a major cause of famine. Droughts and floods can wipe out a year's harvest. But why didn't the ancients live by fishing?
First, they were worried that the river would be strong and they would die in an accident while fishing. In that era of lack of professional rescue equipment, once an accident encountered, it was likely to be killed. Therefore, they would rather give up this opportunity than risk their lives.
Second, they lack professional fishing tools. At that time, the fishing gear was still very primitive, and the efficiency was naturally greatly reduced. Even if you catch a fish, it may only be enough for a family meal. Rather than this, it is better to find another way out, at least to make ends meet.
Third, they would rather find another way out than gamble on this last glimmer of life. In the years of extreme famine, how difficult was the living conditions of the people! They had to eat grass and wood bark, and even the so-called "Guanyin soil" just to barely satisfy their hunger. Faced with such a dilemma, they are naturally reluctant to take the risk of fishing, preferring to choose a more secure way of survival.
It can be said that natural disasters were a major cause of frequent famines in ancient times. However, in that era of scarcity, people also had to make some difficult choices. They would rather give up the opportunity to fish than risk their lives.
The difficulty of survival
In the years of extreme famine, how difficult was the living conditions of the people! They had to eat grass and wood bark, and even the so-called "Guanyin soil" just to barely satisfy their hunger. This is undoubtedly an extreme torture of human nature.
Faced with such a predicament, they naturally did not dare to easily disobey the prohibitions of the ruling class. Even if it is fishing, it is possible to be framed as a "fisherman" and severely punished. Instead of risking your life, it's better to swallow your anger. This kind of survival wisdom is also a portrayal of prudence under heavy oppression.
What's even more heart-wrenching is that even celebrities like the poet Wang Wei have to cover up their "sins" in their poems. It can be seen that this absurd practice has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and has become an insurmountable taboo. In that era of scarcity, they could not meet even the most basic needs for survival, but they were subject to these absurd prohibitions.
It can be said that the triple force of feudal ideology, war trauma, and natural disasters has pushed the people of Li to a desperate situation. They have to survive cautiously under heavy oppression, and even the most basic survival needs are not satisfied. This kind of living condition is also an extreme torture of human nature.
epilogue
It seems to be a trivial problem, but it hides all kinds of dark sides of ancient society. The triple force of feudal thinking, war trauma, and natural disasters has pushed the people of Li to a desperate situation. And their survival wisdom is a portrayal of prudence under heavy oppression.
Let us be grateful for today's peaceful life, but at the same time, we must also be alert to the fact that any kind of autocracy and war may repeat the mistakes of the past and turn the wheel of history back again. Only by cherishing the present can we avoid a recurrence of tragedy.
We should remember the past and cherish the present. Only in this way can we ensure a safe and healthy future and avoid a recurrence of the tragedy. Let's work together to create a better world for future generations.