Zhao Guangyi, Taizong of the Song Dynasty, a generation of heroes, once unified most of China with his wisdom and force. However, it is such a powerful emperor who can't sleep at night because of the scalper in a painting. Where did this painting come from? Why is the king of a country so frightened? What's even more peculiar is that the painting seems to have an incredible magic, presenting a completely different scene from day and night. Is it the curse of Li Yu, the king of the dead country? Or is it the ingenuity of a clever painter? At that time, the civil and military officials were helpless about this, until a high-ranking monk broke through the sky. However, even 800 years later, Europeans, who claim to be technologically advanced, have only half of the mysteries. What is the secret of this mysterious painting? How did it shock the wise men of ancient and modern China and foreign countries?
Zhao Guangyi, whose name is Deming, was born in the second year of Tianfu in the Later Jin Dynasty (937 AD), and is the younger brother of Zhao Kuangyin, the righteous brother of Chai Rong of Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Guangyi's childhood was not raised in the royal family, but in a military family. His father, Zhao Hongyin, once commanded the forbidden armies of the Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Three Dynasties, and his family served in the army for generations, which laid the foundation for Zhao Guangyi's future military talent.
During Zhao Guangyi's youth, China was in the midst of chaos in five dynasties and ten kingdoms. The princes of all walks of life divided one side, and the war continued. Zhao Guangyi witnessed the turmoil of this era, and also witnessed the rise of his brother Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin gradually grasped military power in the Later Zhou Dynasty and became the commander of the forbidden army. Zhao Guangyi, as his own brother, was naturally also reused, and was appointed as the front inspector of the palace and in charge of the palace guards.
In 960 AD, the Chenqiao Mutiny broke out. This is the famous "yellow robe plus" incident in Chinese history. At that time, Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to lead the army to the north to attack the Khitan, and when he passed through Chenqiaoyi, the soldiers supported him as the emperor. Regarding this incident, Zhao Guangyi's attitude is quite subtle. According to some historical records, Zhao Guangyi was already aware of the mutiny plan and may even have participated in it. However, he was not at the scene of the mutiny, but stayed in Bianjing and sat in the rear for Zhao Kuangyin. This way of doing things not only showed his political wisdom, but also laid the groundwork for the future succession to the throne.
After Zhao Kuangyin established the Song Dynasty, Zhao Guangyi was named the king of Jin, commanding the forbidden army, and his power was second only to the emperor. In the past 17 years, Zhao Guangyi has fully demonstrated his political talent. He assisted Zhao Kuangyin in pacifying the separatist forces and unifying the Central Plains. At the same time, he also cultivated cronies in the DPRK and China to pave the way for his future.
In 976 AD, Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly. There have always been many speculations about the cause of Zhao Kuangyin's death. Some people believe that Zhao Guangyi designed the poisoning, but this statement lacks conclusive evidence. In any case, Zhao Guangyi successfully inherited the throne and became Taizong of the Song Dynasty.
After ascending the throne, Zhao Guangyi showed excellent political skills. On the one hand, he continued to advance the great cause of unification and conquered the southern countries; On the other hand, it also set out to consolidate centralized power. He pursued the policy of "releasing military power with a glass of wine" to weaken local military forces and strengthen imperial power. In terms of cultural governance, Zhao Guangyi attached great importance to the imperial examination system and promoted civil servants to balance the power of military generals.
However, Zhao's reign was not unassailable. His treatment of Li Yu, the queen of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was criticized by later generations. After Li Yu surrendered, Zhao Guangyi was treated favorably at first, but later gave Li Yu death due to suspicion. This move not only shows the suspicious and cruel side of Zhao Guangyi's character, but also lays the groundwork for the appearance of the mysterious painting in the future.
Zhao Guangyi's life is an interweaving of power and wisdom. From a vassal king to the king of a country, he had both opportunities and strategies. He unified most of China, consolidated centralized power, and laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Song dynasty. However, it is such a powerful emperor who is terrified by a painting, which makes people curious about the next story.
At the same time as the rise of the Song Dynasty in the north, the Southern Tang Dynasty in the south was in decline. The Southern Tang Dynasty, a small country in the south of the Yangtze River that was once glorious, was already in turmoil when Li Yu ascended the throne. Li Yu, known as Chongguang and known as Chitose, was the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty and one of the most famous lyricists in Chinese history.
Li Yu was born in 937 AD, the same year as Zhao Guangyi, Taizong of the Song Dynasty. However, the fates of the two are very different. Li Yu has been intelligent since childhood, proficient in poetry and songs, but he is not very enthusiastic about political affairs. When he succeeded to the throne, the Southern Tang Dynasty was already in name only, and could only rely on the northern powers. Although Li Yu understands that the country is in crisis, he is powerless to change the situation. He spent most of his time reciting poetry and painting, an act that was undoubtedly "unprofessional" in the eyes of his subjects at the time.
However, Li Yu's talent is unquestionable. His lyrics, such as "Poppy Beauty" and "Seeing Joy", are still recited today. These works not only show his literary talent, but also reflect his anxiety about the fate of his country. For example, "How much sorrow can you have?" Just like a river flowing eastward", sentences such as "is not only a description of love, but also a metaphor for the decline and fall of the country.
At the same time, the Song dynasty in the north was rapidly rising. After Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin unified most of the Central Plains, he set his sights on the south. In 975 AD, the Song army began a large-scale attack on the Southern Tang Dynasty. Although Li Yu sent troops to resist, the Southern Tang army was already weak and could not resist the attack of the Song army.
In 976 AD, Song Taizu died, and his younger brother Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne as Song Taizong. Zhao Guangyi inherited his brother's legacy and continued to attack the Southern Tang Dynasty. After three years of hard fighting, the Southern Tang finally surrendered in 978 AD. Li Yu was captured and taken to Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng).
Li Yu's life after being captured can be described as humiliating. Although Song Taizong named him a "disobedient marquis" and gave him certain preferential treatment, he was actually under house arrest. Li Yu lost his freedom and could only live in a limited space. This is undoubtedly a huge blow to an emperor who once called for wind and rain.
However, an even bigger blow is yet to come. Li Yu's queen Xiao Zhou was favored by Song Taizong because of her beauty. After Zhao Guangyi began to summon Xiao Zhou frequently, this caused Li Yu's dissatisfaction and worry. Although Li Yu was powerless to stop it, the pain in his heart can be imagined. This continued for some time, until 978 AD, when events took a dramatic turn.
According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", Song Taizong gave Li Yu a cup of poisonous wine at a banquet. Li Yu knew that it was poisonous wine, but he still drank it all. Some people say that this is Li Yu who committed suicide due to humiliation, and some people think that this is a deliberate murder by Song Taizong in order to get Xiao Zhouhou. No matter what the truth is, Li Yu's tragic life has come to an end.
Li Yu's death sparked countless discussions and sympathies in later generations. His talent and his tragedy have become the topic of conversation among literati and writers. And his poems have become treasures in the history of Chinese literature.
Li Yu's tragedy is not only a personal tragedy, but also a microcosm of an era. It reflects the helplessness and suffering of the widows and widows of small countries in the process of national reunification. At the same time, the contradiction between Li Yu's talent and his political fate has also triggered people's thinking about the age-old topic of literati politics.
And this tragic story does not seem to end with Li Yu's death. The mysterious painting was discovered by Song Taizong after Li Yu's death. The appearance of this painting seems to be a kind of revenge of Li Yu in the dark, which made Song Taizong also taste the taste of panic. What is so magical about this painting? How did it affect Song Taizong? These questions need to be further explored.
Li Yu's death is not the end of this story, but the beginning of another legend. After Zhao Guangyi, Taizong of the Song Dynasty, pacified the Southern Tang Dynasty, in addition to capturing Li Yu, he also looted a large number of treasures of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Among them, it includes Li Yu's personal collection. These collections include paintings, calligraphy, ancient books, jewelry, and other rare items, but the most striking thing is the mysterious scalper painting.
When the painting was first shown, it didn't attract much attention. It looks like an ordinary landscape painting, with a cow standing quietly by a stream with a lush mountain forest in the background. The brushstrokes of the painting are delicate and the composition is harmonious, but it is not particularly outstanding among the paintings of many famous artists. Song Taizong only glanced at this painting casually, and ordered someone to collect it.
However, the turning point of events occurred on a dark and windy night in the middle of a month. It is said that Song Taizong couldn't sleep at night because of his busy government affairs, so he ordered someone to take some calligraphy and paintings to appreciate. When the painting of the scalper was placed in the candlelight, a terrifying scene appeared: the once docile scalper suddenly became hideous, its eyes flashed with a strange red light, and its body seemed to leap out of the painting. This scene frightened Song Taizong and hurriedly ordered someone to put the painting away.
Early the next morning, Song Taizong summoned the painting again to take a closer look, but found that the ox in the painting had returned to its usual appearance and stood meekly by the stream. Song Taizong thought that he was dazzled last night, so he didn't pay much attention to it. However, when night falls again and the candlelight reflects on the paintings, the terrible sight reappears.
This phenomenon of diurnal change caused great fear and confusion in Song Taizong. He began to wonder if the painting had some kind of curse or magic in it. Could it be that Li Yu cast some spell on his deathbed? Or does the painting itself contain some kind of supernatural power? These questions kept swirling in Song Taizong's heart, keeping him awake at night.
In order to solve this mystery, Song Taizong summoned all kinds of talented people in the court. Some people say that it is a ghost, and it is recommended that the painting be burned; Others believe that it may be a chemical reaction produced by some rare pigment and advocate scientific research. However, neither the magic of the Taoist priest nor the elixir of the alchemist could explain the singularity of the painting.
Among the many speculations, there is a statement that caught the attention of Song Taizong. It has been suggested that the painting may have hidden some kind of Eastern philosophical thought. The ox in the painting symbolizes agricultural civilization, and its diurnal variation represents the transformation of yin and yang, and the endless laws of the universe. Although this interpretation cannot completely unravel the secrets of the painting, it at least gives it a deep philosophical meaning.
Over time, legends about the painting began to circulate among the people. Some people say that this is Li Yu's masterpiece before his death, which contains his curse on Song Taizong; Some people also believe that this painting was made by a hidden master, and it is intended to warn the world not to forget the roots of farming. Regardless, the mysterious nature of the painting makes it a fascinating puzzle.
Although Song Taizong was still afraid of the painting, he gradually realized its preciousness. He ordered the paintings to be kept secret and displayed only on specific occasions. This decision inadvertently preserved this artistic treasure and kept it alive for generations to come.
The secrets of the painting can never seem fully revealed, but the discussions and reflections it provokes go far beyond the realm of art. It became a microcosm of an era, reflecting the people's understanding of nature, philosophy, and art at that time, as well as the complex relationship between the ruler and the ruled.
The story of this mysterious painting did not end with the fall of the Song Dynasty. In the centuries that followed, it continued to captivate the minds of countless wise men, sparking the imagination and the desire to explore. And in the distant future, it even attracted the attention of European painters, becoming a unique case of cultural exchange between the East and the West.
The story of the mysterious painting did not end with the fall of the Song Dynasty, but continued to ferment in the following centuries and had a profound impact. The painting has undergone the change of dynasties, witnessed the vicissitudes of Chinese history, and has also become a unique bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.
During the Yuan Dynasty, the painting disappeared for a time. Rumor has it that the Mongolia nobles brought it back to the steppe as a trophy for the conquest of the Han land. However, the mysterious nature of the painting seems to have unnerved the Mongolia, who were eventually sent back to the Central Plains. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, when the peasants revolted, the painting fell into chaos again, and it is said that it was once in the possession of a peasant chieftain, who saw the painting as a harbinger of the success of the uprising.
After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the paintings returned to the royal collection. Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, attached great importance to this painting, and he believed that the painting contained the mystery of governing the country and the country. Zhu Yuanzhang often looked at the paintings alone in the dead of night, trying to gain wisdom from them. At one point, he even ordered the painter to make a copy of the painting, but without exception, all the copies could not reproduce the magical effect of the original.
By the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the fame of the paintings had spread far and wide. At that time, Zheng He's voyage to the West was accompanied by envoys who brought the legend of the painting to Persia and Arabia. Local scholars were intrigued by the painting's ability to change day and night, and speculated about the science behind it. Some Arab alchemists even made a special trip to China to see the paintings as they really were.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the painting fell into turmoil again. Legend has it that when Li Zicheng invaded Beijing, he briefly obtained this painting. He saw the painting as a mascot, believing that it was a sign that he would become the new Lord of Destiny. However, Li Zicheng's reign was short-lived, and his paintings were lost.
After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, the Kangxi Emperor took a keen interest in the painting. As a monarch who admired science, Kangxi tried to explain the strange phenomena of his paintings using scientific methods. He summoned painters and scientists from the palace, and even invited missionaries in China to participate in the study. However, even with the use of advanced Western instruments, the secrets of the paintings could not be fully revealed.
During the Qianlong period, the painting ushered in a new highlight moment. Emperor Qianlong was not only a ruler, but also a connoisseur of art. He admired the painting so much that he even wrote a long poem for it. Under the impetus of Qianlong, the paintings became important cultural relics in the Qing court's collection, and their fame spread throughout East Asia.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, with the invasion of the Western powers, the painting was once again in the spotlight. When the Anglo-French forces burned the Old Summer Palace, a United Kingdom officer stumbled upon the painting and was fascinated by its magical properties. He brought the painting back to United Kingdom, causing a sensation in the Victorian art world. When the paintings were exhibited in London, they attracted a large audience, including the famous painter Turner. Turner was amazed by the effect of light and shadow on this oriental painting, which is said to have had an important influence on his later work.
However, the paintings did not stay in United Kingdom for long. At the strong request of the Qing government, the United Kingdom finally agreed to return the artifact. The painting returned to China in 1860 and is housed in the Forbidden City.
In modern times, the painting continues to exert its influence. It has become a model of the combination of traditional Chinese culture and modern technology. Many modern artists have experimented with new techniques to reproduce the effect of their paintings, such as the use of photosensitive materials or holographic techniques. Although none of these attempts could fully replicate the magic of the original, they did promote the development of artistic innovation.
In the scientific community, the painting has also attracted a lot of attention. Some scientists have speculated that the painting may have used a special pigment that changes color with changes in temperature or light. This speculation sparked a boom in research on new materials, providing inspiration for the development of smart materials.
Today, the enigmatic painting is still treasured in the Palace Museum and continues to attract visitors and researchers from all over the world. It is not only a work of art, but also a microcosm of Chinese culture, containing profound philosophical ideas and scientific mysteries. With the development of the times, people's interpretation of this painting is constantly updated, giving it new meaning and value.
To a certain extent, the history of the circulation of paintings is also a microcosm of the exchange between China and the world. It has witnessed the collision and integration of Eastern and Western cultures, and has become a unique cultural symbol. The various explorations and reflections it has triggered have also promoted the development of many fields such as art, science and technology, and philosophy.
In the 21st century, this mysterious scalper painting still attracts attention from all over the world. It is not only a precious cultural relic, but also a unique bridge connecting the past and the present, and connecting China and the rest of the world. With the advancement of science and technology and the deepening of cultural exchanges, people's understanding and interpretation of this painting are constantly updated, giving it new modern meanings.
In 2008, during the Beijing Olympic Games, the organizing committee decided to exhibit this painting as one of the representatives of traditional Chinese culture. However, the preparations for the exhibition unexpectedly revealed new characteristics of the paintings. When the staff examined the painting using the latest spectral analysis techniques, they were surprised to find another painting hidden beneath the scalper image. The discovery immediately caused a stir in the art and tech worlds.
After further research, experts speculated that it may have been Li Yu's use of a special painting technique to skillfully superimpose the two paintings. Peaceful scalpers are visible during the day, while hideous images that appear at night are hidden in the lower layers. This technique not only demonstrates Li Yu's superb artistic attainments, but also reflects his deep understanding of the philosophical ideas of yin and yang changes and the necessity of things and extremes.
This discovery breathed new life into the painting. It is no longer just a mysterious antique, but a model of ancient wisdom combined with modern technology. Inspired by this, many artists have begun to experiment with multi-layered and multi-dimensional works. At a modern art exhibition in Shanghai, a young artist created an installation inspired by scalper paintings, using photoelectric technology to change the image over time, which attracted widespread attention.
In the field of science and technology, the nature of paintings has also inspired new research directions. Materials scientists are beginning to explore smart materials that can change color or form in response to changes in the environment. These studies have not only found applications in artistic creation, but also shown great potential in the fields of military camouflage, architectural design, etc. In 2015, a Chinese tech company even developed a painting-inspired smart window that automatically adjusts transparency based on light intensity.
The educational community also drew inspiration from this painting. Many schools are beginning to use it as an example of interdisciplinary education, bringing together subject knowledge such as art, history, science, and philosophy. Students not only learn about the historical background of the paintings, but also explore the scientific principles and philosophical ideas contained in them. This teaching method greatly stimulates students' interest in learning and innovative thinking.
In international cultural exchanges, scalper painting also plays an important role. In 2018, the National Museum of China cooperated with the Louvre Museum in France to hold an exhibition with the theme of "Dialogue between Eastern and Western Art", and this painting became one of the core exhibits of the exhibition. The response from the France audience to the painting was overwhelming, with many saying that the painting gave them a new understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
In the digital age, paintings have also gone to the "clouds". The Palace Museum has partnered with a tech company to develop a virtual reality (VR) program that allows people to see the painting up close and personal in a virtual environment, and even experience its day-night effects. This innovative initiative not only allows more people to have the opportunity to appreciate this precious cultural relic, but also provides new ideas for the protection of cultural relics.
With the development of artificial intelligence technology, paintings have a new direction of interpretation. In 2022, a team of artists and computer experts experimented with using AI technology to parse the composition and brushstrokes of a painting. In this way, they hope to not only gain a deeper understanding of Li Yu's creative techniques, but also explore the potential applications of AI in art creation and appreciation.
In the field of environmental protection, the image of a scalper in the painting has also been given a new meaning. Some environmental groups see it as a symbol of harmony between man and nature, and use it to promote the concept of sustainable development. In 2023, at a global climate change conference, the Chinese delegation even used the story of the painting to illustrate China's concept of ecological civilization, which resonated with the participants.
With the development of the times, this mysterious scalper painting has been endowed with new connotations and values. It is not only a work of art, but also a cultural symbol that connects the past and the present, and communicates China and the rest of the world. From Li Yu's court to the modern exhibition hall, from the emperor's desk to the digital devices of ordinary people, this painting has gone through a long time and witnessed the vicissitudes of life in China and the world. However, the wisdom and mystery contained in it have always been the same, constantly stimulating people's imagination and creativity, and promoting the integration and innovation of art, technology and culture.