Everyone knows that Sun Dianying is a notorious bandit, and he is the one who dug up the mausoleum of the Empress Dowager Cixi. What he did caused an uproar, and was condemned by the remnants of the Qing Dynasty, and later generations hated him even more. However, time flies, time flies, and the notorious bandit leader of the year has long since become obsolete. But who would have thought that the descendants he left behind would have a completely different life trajectory? His son not only did not get contaminated with his father's vices, but became a respected and big man. What kind of counterattack story is this? What kind of education allowed this "son of sinner" to get rid of his father's shadow and embark on a bright path? Now, when we look back, how should we evaluate this father and son?
Sun Dianying's criminal career
Sun Dianying, a figure who left a strong mark on modern Chinese history, has a life full of legends and controversies. His life is like a movie with ups and downs, from a poor boy to a notorious bandit, to a general under a warlord, and finally to a disgrace for the theft of the emperor's tomb.
Sun Dianying was born in 1888 in Huanghua County, Hebei Province. He did not have a happy childhood, losing his father at an early age. In those turbulent times, it was undoubtedly difficult for a fatherless child to survive. The poverty of the family forced the young Sun Dianying to enter the society early and roam the rivers and lakes.
Sun Dianying in his youth had a bold personality and liked to fight injustices and act chivalrous. He often associates with the people of the market rangers, which allows him to get acquainted with all kinds of characters. From military and police officials to ruffians and hooligans, Sun Dianying can get along. This experience laid the foundation for his future development and cultivated his ability to deal with the world.
As he grew older, Sun Dianying gradually revealed his ambition and courage. He began to take refuge in the warlords, hoping to break through the troubled times. In the process, Sun Dianying showed extraordinary leadership and military talent. He was good at winning people's hearts, and soon gathered a group of diehards and became a bandit.
In that era when the heroes rose together, Sun Dianying dominated the mountain and dominated one side. He led his men to plunder and raid houses, and soon became famous in the local area. Although his actions were undoubtedly illegal, in that era when the legal order collapsed, such a "heroic hero" was supported by some people.
However, Sun Dianying was not satisfied with being a local bandit leader. He has bigger ambitions and wants to be able to play on a wider stage. The opportunity soon came, and the Northern Expedition of the National Revolutionary Army needed a large number of soldiers. As a shrewd tyrant, Sun Dianying was keenly aware of the changes in the situation, and he decided to defect to the Kuomintang.
In 1927, Sun Dianying led his subordinates to join the National Revolutionary Army and was incorporated into Feng Yuxiang's Northwest Army. This decision marked the transformation of Sun Dianying from a local bandit leader to a member of the country's regular army. In the ranks of the Kuomintang, Sun Dianying quickly showed his talent and was appreciated by his superiors.
In 1928, Sun Dianying was dispatched to the eastern Hebei region to suppress bandits. This is an ironic twist in which the former bandit leader is now an officer and soldier of the bandits. In the process of suppressing bandits, Sun Dianying made use of his connections in the rivers and lakes and his understanding of the local situation to achieve great results. He successfully drove away the Ma Futian tomb robber gang who originally excavated the Dongling, and it seems that he has made a contribution.
However, at this time, Sun Dianying's heart was greedy. He began to plot to excavate the aventurine, a decision that eventually led to the complete ruin of his reputation. Sun Dianying's behavior is not only a serious damage to cultural relics, but also a desecration of Chinese civilization. This incident caused a huge sensation at the time, and also cast an indelible shadow on Sun Dianying's life.
Tomb robbery that shocked China and the rest of the world
China in 1928 was in the critical period of the Northern Expedition of the National Revolutionary Army. In this era of change, a tomb robbery incident that shocked China and foreign countries quietly occurred, and its protagonist was Sun Dianying, who had just joined the National Revolutionary Army.
In the process of suppressing bandits, Sun Dianying learned that there were a large number of treasures buried in the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty. These mausoleums not only contain the tombs of the emperors of the past dynasties, but also the tombs of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi was extravagant during her lifetime, and her mausoleum must have contained countless treasures. This information made Sun Dianying greedy, and he began to plan how to steal and excavate these tombs.
In order to hide people's eyes, Sun Dianying carefully planned this tomb robbery operation. Under the guise of military exercises, he led his troops to the vicinity of the Qing Dongling. One night in May 1928, Sun Dianying and his subordinates began this earth-shattering tomb robbery.
The first to be stolen and excavated was the Yuling of Emperor Qianlong. Qianlong was one of the richest emperors of the Qing Dynasty, and his tomb must have contained a great deal of treasure. Sun Dianying and his subordinates used explosives to blow open the door of Yuling's tomb, a brutal method that severely damaged the structure of the tomb and the artifacts contained therein. They looted a lot of gold, silver, and jewelry in Yuling, but this was only the beginning.
Next, Sun Dianying targeted the Dingling Tomb of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Empress Dowager Cixi was known for her extravagance during her lifetime, and her mausoleum must have contained more treasures. Similarly, Sun Dianying used explosives to blow open the tomb door of Dingling. When they entered the mausoleum, they were amazed by what they saw.
The number and variety of treasures in Dingling are far beyond their imagination. Gold and silver jewelry, jade porcelain, antique calligraphy and painting, you name it. Sun Dianying and his subordinates felt as if they had entered a huge treasure trove, and they frantically looted these priceless treasures.
In this tomb robbery operation, the most eye-catching is the night pearl in the mouth of the Empress Dowager Cixi. It is said that this pearl of the night is priceless and is one of the most cherished treasures of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Sun Dianying desperately took out this night pearl from the body of the Empress Dowager Cixi, which was not only a destruction of cultural relics, but also a great disrespect to the deceased.
The tomb robbery continued for several days, and Sun Dianying and his men looted all the treasures they could move. Their actions caused irreparable damage to the mausoleum, and many precious artifacts and historical materials were lost forever.
However, such a large-scale tomb robbery operation cannot be kept secret for a long time. Soon, the news of Sun Dianying's theft of the Qing Dongling spread throughout the country. This news was like a bombshell that caused an uproar across the country.
The remnants of the Qing Dynasty expressed strong protests, demanding that the government severely punish Sun Dianying and other tomb robbers. In their view, Sun Dianying's behavior was not only a desecration of the Qing Dynasty's imperial tombs, but also a serious damage to Chinese culture.
In the face of public anger, Sun Dianying began to find ways to escape punishment. He used the treasures obtained from the Qing Dongling Tomb to establish relationships, hoping to escape the punishment of the law. However, the attitude of the Qing courtiers was unusually resolute, and even if many high-ranking officials accepted bribes from Sun Dianying, they could not protect him from punishment.
This tomb robbery incident not only caused a sensation in China, but also attracted the attention of the international community. The incident has been reported by many international media, considering it to be a serious damage to China's cultural heritage. This incident has also caused the international community to begin to pay attention to the protection of cultural relics in China.
Despite the tremendous pressure, Sun Dianying finally escaped the punishment she deserved. The result left many people angry and disappointed, and it also led to a reflection on China's legal system and the protection of cultural relics.
This tomb robbery incident, which shocked China and the rest of the world, not only caused irreparable loss of cultural relics, but also brought a serious negative impact on China's international image. It has become a sad stain on China's modern history, and it has also become an important historical event for future generations to study and reflect.
Sun Dianying's end and reflection
After the theft and excavation of the Dongling Tomb, Sun Dianying's life trajectory took a huge turn. Although he escaped the law for the time being, the impact of this incident on him was far-reaching and long-lasting.
For a period of time after the tomb robbery, Sun Dianying relied on the wealth obtained from the mausoleum to live a luxurious life. He used a large amount of treasure to bribe high-ranking officials as a way to protect himself from punishment. However, this life did not last long. As time passed, Sun began to feel increasing social pressure.
Although Sun Dianying has escaped punishment legally, he has become the target of public criticism at the level of morality and public opinion. Many people condemned his actions, believing that he was a person with no moral bottom line. This kind of public opinion pressure made Sun Dianying more and more uncomfortable in public, and he began to become low-key and gradually moved away from the public eye.
As the rule of the Nationalist government gradually stabilized, Sun Dianying's position in the military also began to suffer. Although he had been a capable military officer, the grave robbery severely damaged his reputation. Many of his colleagues began to distance themselves from him, and his influence in the military gradually declined.
In 1937, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out. In the face of the invasion of the Japanese invaders, Sun Dianying had the opportunity to redeem his reputation by participating in the anti-Japanese resistance. However, he didn't take the opportunity. Instead, he chose to continue living a relatively comfortable life, which further deepened the negative impression of him.
As the war progressed, the rule of the Nationalist government began to falter. In the process, Sun Dianying gradually lost his position in the army. By the time the Anti-Japanese War was won in 1945, Sun Dianying had been completely reduced to a marginal figure.
In 1946, the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party broke out. In the face of this new war, Sun Dianying chose to side with the Kuomintang. However, his choice did not bring him good luck. With the successive victories of the People's Liberation Army, Sun Dianying's situation became more and more difficult.
In 1948, in the Battle of Liaoshen, Sun Dianying was captured by the People's Liberation Army. This marked the end of his military career. After being captured, Sun Dianying faced a severe trial. His grave robbing has once again been in the spotlight, with many demanding severe punishment for him.
In prison, Sun Dianying began to truly reflect on his life. He realized that his actions had caused great damage to the country and the nation. The cultural relics that he destroyed are irretrievable historical legacies. This realization made him feel deep remorse.
As time passed, Sun's physical condition began to deteriorate. In the last stages of his life, he often reminisced about his past. He realized that his life was full of controversy and regret. In particular, the act of stealing and excavating the imperial tomb not only brought shame to himself, but also brought a huge burden to his family.
At the last moment of his life, Sun Dianying had high hopes for his son Sun Tianyi. He hopes that his son will be able to follow a path of integrity and make up for the mistakes he has made. He told Sun Tianyi to cherish the opportunity to study and strive to contribute to the country and society.
In 1947, Sun Dianying died in prison at the age of 59. His life is full of legends and controversies, from a poor teenager to a notorious warlord, and finally to remorse in prison. His experience has become a microcosm of an era and an object of reflection for future generations.
Sun Dianying's story has triggered people's thinking about the protection of cultural relics and historical inheritance. Although his actions were widely condemned, they also raised awareness of the importance of strengthening the preservation of cultural relics. After his death, the protection of cultural relics in China has received more attention and development.
Loss and recovery of cultural relics
Sun Dianying's theft and excavation of Dongling not only caused the destruction of a large number of precious cultural relics, but also led to the loss of many valuable national treasures overseas. This tragedy of the loss of cultural relics has become an indelible scar in China's modern history.
During the tomb robbery, Sun Dianying and his subordinates looted a large number of precious cultural relics. These cultural relics include gold and silver jewelry, jade porcelain, antique calligraphy and paintings, etc., among which there are many national treasures. However, the fate of these artifacts does not end there.
As the tomb robbery was exposed, Sun Dianying began to worry about her situation. In order to exonerate himself, he began to use some of the artifacts to bribe high-ranking officials. At the same time, in order to make cash, he also began to secretly sell some cultural relics. These actions have led to a further dispersion of the artefacts.
Among them, the most eye-catching is the legendary night pearl in the mouth of the Empress Dowager Cixi. This pearl is said to be priceless and is one of the treasures most cherished by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Soon after the tomb robbery, this pearl of the night mysteriously disappeared. Rumor has it that it was secretly sold to a foreign collector and its whereabouts have not been known since.
In addition to the Night Pearl, there are many other precious cultural relics that have also been lost overseas. For example, an enamel porcelain from the Qianlong period was purchased by an American merchant at a high price, and later became a treasure in a museum. There is also a landscape painting by a famous Qing Dynasty artist, which was lost to Japan and became a private collector's treasure.
The loss of these cultural relics is not only a material loss, but also a major cultural loss. Every lost cultural relic carries the history and culture of China. Their loss is like a part of Chinese history being stripped away.
However, as time went on, the Chinese government and civil society began to recover these lost artifacts. It is a long and difficult process that involves a variety of means, such as diplomatic representations, legal proceedings, and private negotiations.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government began to recover lost cultural relics more systematically. Through diplomatic channels, the Chinese government has repeatedly negotiated with governments to demand the return of illegally acquired Chinese cultural relics. Such efforts have yielded some results, and some countries have returned some cultural relics one after another.
At the same time, civil forces have also played an important role in the recovery of cultural relics. Some enthusiastic collectors and antiquities lovers have searched for the whereabouts of lost artifacts through various channels. They either buy these artifacts at their own expense and donate them to the state, or they provide important clues to the government.
In the process, some touching stories have also emerged. For example, a Chinese entrepreneur living abroad bought back a lost cultural relic and donated it to the National Museum for free after learning of its whereabouts. Another foreign collector, after learning about the origin of his collection of Chinese cultural relics, took the initiative to contact the Chinese government and expressed his willingness to return them.
However, the road to recovery has not been easy. Due to the passage of time, the whereabouts of many cultural relics have been difficult to ascertain. Some of the artifacts have changed hands several times, making it difficult to trace them. There are also some cultural relics that have been irreversibly damaged due to improper preservation or vandalism.
In addition, at the international legal level, the recovery of cultural objects also faces many challenges. The laws of many countries provide protections for collectors who have "purchased in good faith", making the recovery of some lost artifacts extremely difficult.
Despite this, the Chinese government and civil society have not given up their efforts. Through continuous negotiations and negotiations, some important cultural relics have returned to the embrace of the motherland one after another. Every returned cultural relic is a restoration of history and a protection of national culture.
As time goes on, people's awareness of heritage conservation is also increasing. The State has formulated a series of laws and regulations to strengthen the protection and management of cultural relics. At the same time, the public's awareness of cultural relics protection is also increasing, and more and more people have begun to pay attention to and support the protection of cultural relics.
The process of recovering cultural relics is not only a kind of compensation for history, but also a warning for the future. It reminds people that the preservation of cultural relics is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the duty of every citizen. Only through the joint efforts of the whole society can we better protect our cultural heritage and inherit our historical civilization.
Historical reflection and cultural relics preservation
The shock caused by Sun Dianying's theft and excavation of Dongling was not only limited to the society at that time, but also triggered profound historical reflection in later generations. This event became an important turning point in the history of China's cultural relics protection, and promoted the national and social understanding of the importance of cultural relics protection.
In the first few years after the incident, due to political turmoil, there was not much attention paid to the preservation of cultural relics. However, with the passage of time, especially after the founding of the People's Republic of China, people began to re-examine this historical event and learn from it.
In 1961, the People's Republic of China promulgated the Interim Regulations on the Protection and Administration of Cultural Relics, which was the first regulation in New China specifically for the protection of cultural relics. To a large extent, the promulgation of this regulation is a summary and response to the lessons of history. The regulations clearly stipulate the definition, classification and protection measures of cultural relics, laying a legal foundation for the protection of cultural relics in China.
At the same time as the construction of the legal system, the state has also increased investment in the protection of cultural relics. In 1972, the State Council approved the establishment of the State Administration of Cultural Relics, which is responsible for the unified management of the protection of cultural relics nationwide. This marks a new stage in the protection of cultural relics in China.
The restoration of the Qing Dongling Tomb also began during this period. In 1978, the state allocated funds to carry out a comprehensive renovation of the Qing Dongling Tomb. The restoration work includes not only the restoration of the already damaged mausoleum, but also the protection and management of the environment of the entire mausoleum area. This work lasted for many years and finally brought the Qing Dongling back to life.
At the same time, the concept of cultural relics protection is also deepening and developing. It is recognized that the protection of cultural relics is not only the protection of tangible cultural heritage, but also the inheritance of cultural traditions and national spirit. This understanding has promoted the development of cultural relics protection from simple "preservation" to "equal emphasis on protection and utilization".
In 1982, the National People's Congress passed the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics, which was China's first special law on the protection of cultural relics. The promulgation of this law marks that China's cultural relics protection work has entered the track of legalization. The law clearly stipulates the principles, measures, and responsibilities for the protection of cultural relics, and provides a strong legal guarantee for the protection of cultural relics.
Under the protection of the law, China has made remarkable progress in the protection of cultural relics. Many important cultural relics protection projects have been implemented, such as the protection of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the excavation and protection of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang. These projects not only protect the precious cultural heritage, but also provide valuable materials for the study of world civilizations.
In the 21st century, the concept of cultural relics protection has been further developed. People have begun to pay attention to the "living protection" of cultural relics, that is, to protect the cultural relics themselves as well as the intangible cultural heritage related to them. For example, while preserving ancient buildings, we also pay attention to the traditional crafts and folk culture associated with them.
In 2015, the State Council issued the "Guiding Opinions on Further Strengthening the Work of Cultural Relics", which put forward the policy of "protection first, rescue first, rational utilization, and strengthening management" for cultural relics. The proposal of this policy reflects the great importance that the state attaches to the protection of cultural relics, and also reflects the further improvement of the concept of cultural relics protection.
In the protection of cultural relics, the application of science and technology is also becoming more and more extensive. Advanced technologies such as 3D scanning and virtual reality have been introduced into the field of cultural relics protection, which not only improves the accuracy of cultural relics restoration, but also opens up new ways for the display and utilization of cultural relics.
At the same time, the public's enthusiasm for participating in the protection of cultural relics is also increasing. More and more volunteers have joined the team of cultural relics protection and contributed to the protection of cultural relics in various ways. Some non-governmental organizations have also played an important role in the protection of cultural relics, such as the establishment of the "Volunteer Alliance for Cultural Relics Protection", which has injected new vitality into the protection of cultural relics.
Looking back on the history of Sun Dianying's theft and excavation of the Dongling Tomb, we can see that this incident is not only a historical tragedy, but also an important opportunity to promote the development of China's cultural relics protection. It makes people realize the importance of cultural relics protection, promotes the formulation and improvement of relevant laws and regulations, and promotes the development and promotion of the concept of cultural relics protection.