Previously, we learned about the City God Temple and Horse God Sect in , the Forbidden City , and then let’s learn about the , the Jinshui River in the Forbidden City.
When the Forbidden City was built, there was no Jinshui River and 
1 Wansui Mountain (later renamed Jingshan ). Based on the consideration of Feng Shui pattern, the designer had to artificially create a Feng Shui pattern that "backs the mountains and faces the water". There is Xuanwumen in the north of the Forbidden City (later renamed Shenwumen ), which violated the taboo that the ancients should not open the door in the north, and then it was necessary to build a mountain as a barrier.
Jinshui River comes from the northwest of Wansui Mountain and flows into the moat of the Forbidden City along the western foot of Wansui Mountain. The river turns south again, passes downstairs to the northwest corner of the Forbidden City and leads into the imperial city, and flows into , the Hall of Supreme Harmony, .
is in the northwest of the Bagua, which represents the Tianmen. Therefore, the ancients gave the Jinshui River a beautiful fable: the water from the Tianhe River is introduced continuously into the Forbidden City through the flow of the Jinshui River.
The Forbidden City moat, also known as the Tongzi River, was expanded on the basis of the Yuan Dadu moat when the Beijing city was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420).
The moats inside and outside the capital can be divided into five places according to their location: north, west, east, front three gates and south moats, with a total length of about 40.7 kilometers. After Xu Da captured the Yuan Dadu in the first year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1368), in order to prevent Beiyuan , the north wall moved south to the south bank of the Gaoliang River and the Bahe River to form a city wall with oblique angles in the northwest and the north moat.
In the 17th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1419), due to the needs of palace construction, the Yuannan city wall was moved to the south for more than 2,700 meters south to the current site, and the Nancheng moat (the front three gate moat) was excavated. The east and west moats extended south to connect with the Nancheng moat, and flowed south into the Cangpu River .
Forbidden City moat is also known as the Tongzi River
In the 43rd year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1564), the outer city and the southern moat were built. In the 25th year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1760), the river water west of Wumen was introduced into the Xique Gate through a dark ditch, and flowed eastward from the dark ditch under the stone path in front of the Wumen, and flowed into the Taimiao (Labor People's Cultural Palace), and was named the Wumen Dark Plug Zi River, forming the moat today. Historically, in addition to its defensive function, the moat also undertakes urban drainage and canal transport functions (East Moat).
The moat surrounding the outer edge of the Forbidden City is 52 meters wide and 6 meters deep. It is an "artificial river" that protects the safety of the Forbidden City. Feng Shui believes that mountains are real qi and water is empty qi. The tall mountains can bound water and the deep and wide water can gather qi. The water of the Jinshui River in the Forbidden City is introduced from the northwest corner of the moat and flows windingly through important buildings and palace gates such as Wuying Hall, Dahe Hall, Wenyuan Pavilion, , Nansan Three , and Donghuamen. It guides people with "animity" and forms the "water embrace" momentum in Feng Shui. The total length of Jinshui River in
is about 2100 meters, with an average depth of about 4 meters. The river water is sometimes hidden, sometimes straight and sometimes bent, sometimes wide and sometimes narrow, with the width reaching 11.8 meters, and the narrowest point does not exceed 2 meters. The bottom and side grates are paved with stone. flows into the moat to the southeast corner, forming a "water-facing" Feng Shui environment in front of several buildings.
The winding blue waves bring spiritual energy to the Forbidden City, and its shape enriches the architectural artistic effect. After the water of Neijinshui River leaves the palace from the southeast corner of the Forbidden City, it flows south into the Changpu River. The Changpu River belongs to the Outer Jinshui River, located east of Tiananmen in and is about 600 meters long. The eastern end of the Changpu River flows into Yuhe , then flows southward, into the south moat of the inner city (the first three gate moat), and then from the south moat of the south moat to Tonghui River . The source of the name "Jinshui River" is mainly related to the geographical location of Yuquan Mountain . "History of Yuan Dynasty" written by historians at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty, Song Lian and others, records: "The source of Jinshui River comes from Yuquan Mountain in Wanping County, and flows to the south of Heyimen and enters the capital, so it is named Jinshui." Yuquan Mountain is located in the western suburbs of Beijing. In the ancient Chinese culture of Five Elements, "Jin" means the West, which means "Jinshui River" is the river water originating from Yuquan Mountain.
The source of the word "inside" in Jinshui River is mainly related to the diversion of Jinshui River in the Ming Dynasty.
" Nancun Chugenglu " written by Tao Zongyi , wrote: "Zhi Wansui Mountain (now Qiongdao, Beihai), dredging Taiye Pond (now Beihai, Zhonghai ), sending Yuquan, connecting gold and water, lying on the capital, carrying mountains and leading rivers, and magnificent emperor residence." From this we can see that when the capital was built in the Yuan Dynasty, the water of Yuquan Mountain was directly introduced into Taiye Pond and called "Golden Water".
In the Ming Dynasty, Jinshui River was diverted. The water from Yuquan Mountain flows into Shichahai through Deshengmen Water Pass and flows into Shichahai and is divided into two branches: the first branch is to supply water for the palace and royal gardens in the Ming Dynasty. It is to dig a new canal on the south bank of Shichahai, and the South China Sea at the southern end of Taiye Pond, so that the water flows into the South China Sea along the Shichahai. The second branch is to replenish the water for the suburbs. It is to dig a new canal on the east bank of Shichahai, so that the water flows east into the Tonghui River in the Yuan Dynasty and then south into the South Moat. The section from Shichahai to the southern moat was called Yu (Yu) River in the Ming Dynasty.
The first Yuquan Mountain water system is divided into two branches, forming the inner Jinshui River and the outer Jinshui River.
One of the branches diverted from the north gate of Taiyechi, passed through the Tongzi River (the moat of the Forbidden City) northwest of the Forbidden City, and then left the palace from the southeast of the Forbidden City, which is called the Neijinshui River.
Another branch diverts eastward from the east coast of the South China Sea, passes through Chengtianmen (Today's Anmen), and then merges with the water from the Neijinshui River that leaves the palace in Taimiao in the southeast, and pours into the Yu River eastward, which is called the Outer Jinshui River.
Jiaqing dynasty "Imperial Decree of the Qing Dynasty" " Interior Affairs Office ·Fengchen Garden" records in more detail the flow direction of the inner Jinshui River and the outer Jinshui River: "The rivers in the imperial city are surrounded by all sides. Those entering from the west Buliang Bridge outside Di'anmen are introduced into the Forbidden City through the west gate of Jingshan, which is a moat. The water to the west of the moat flows from the southwest corner of the Forbidden City, flows through the Jinshui Bridge outside Tiananmen Gate, and flows from the Yu River in the southeast, which is the outer Jinshui River."
Jinshui River that winds inside the Forbidden City. A blue line is the inner Jinshui River.
The northwest of the Forbidden City is occasionally the Qian position in the Bagua, which is the location of the dragon vein. The selection of its architectural orientation is based on ancient Feng Shui and the theory of yin
Yang Wuxing.
This place is the inlet of the Jinshui River in the Forbidden City, and is the Tianmen.
"Water is the bloodline of a dragon. When the water flies away, the energy will dissipate. When the water melts, the internal energy will gather." "There is water in the heaven and earth, just like the human beings have blood."
It can be seen that the status of Feng Shui here is very important.
The source of Jinshui River in the inner city The moat (Tizui River) outside the northwest wall of the Forbidden City is injected into the palace through a culvert under the city wall.
Jinshui River in the Forbidden City is connected to the moat at both ends, with a total length of about two kilometers. Although the river is short, it has a source above and a confluence below. On the moat Henan Gang, which is located on the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, there is a stone voucher hole, which is the inlet of the moat. There is also an voucher hole on the Beihe Gang opposite, which is the inlet for the moat water to flow into the palace. The river flows south into the city through the city wall.
to the Mashen Temple in the northwest corner of the city, it exposed the ground, from west to south, flows straight south through the southeast corner of the Chenghuang Temple, goes east to the front of Wuying Hall, flows through the Duanhong Bridge, and then undercurrent to the front yard of Taihemen exposed. The river body gradually widened, passed through Jinshui Bridge and to the east, passed through Wenyuan Pavilion, then turned south, flowed out from the southeast of the Forbidden City, and poured into the outer moat. The river arsenals and bottoms of Jinshui River in
are paved with white stone. Only remote areas such as Xiheyan and other places use bricks to build river walls because they were inhabited by eunuchs and others. The river body depends on the situation in different regions, either wide or narrow, sometimes hidden or sometimes appearing. The river body turns freely, winding back, surrounding the palace buildings.
Jinshui River on Taihemen Square
The Jinshui River north of the Forbidden City Meridian Gate, the five bridges - Jinshui Bridge. Zhengzhong Bridge is the imperial road passed by the emperor. The white stone railings on the bridge are carved with dragon cloud patterns and looking at the pillars. The four bridges on the left and right are the paths for princes and officials to walk. They will decrease with the width of the river body, and their railings are engraved with torch-shaped arcs to look at the stigma.
"History of Ming Palace" records: "(Jinshui Bridge) is not tortuous, and it consumes materials. If there is an accidental fire, then this water will depend on it." The inner Jinshui River originates from Yuquan, which is inexhaustible and inexhaustible, and can be regarded as a good source of fire protection water.In all the fires in the palace, the fire was extinguished with the "golden water" and the effect was significant. Ming Dynasty eunuch Liu Ruoyu in his " Zhu Zhongzhi " wrote: "In the fourth year of Tianqi, the Six-Corps (i.e. the East Side Hall and the West Side Hall in the Meridian Gate) were disasters. In the sixth year, the paint in the west of Wuying Hall was caused by the disaster, and all of them were able to obtain the power of this water."
In addition to beautifying the palace and using water for fire prevention facilities in ancient buildings, the Jinshui River in the inner city is also a drainage channel for draining rain in the palace. The palace has an area of 720,000 square meters, and more than 90 courtyards of all sizes and sizes. Each has its own drainage channels. It uses the terrain of high in the north and low in the south to discharge into the hidden ditches and flow into the inner Jinshui River, and discharges it along the river to exit the palace.
According to historical records, no matter how heavy it rains, there is no phenomenon of rainwater blockage in the palace. These carefully designed light and river ditches were built without precision scientific instruments at that time. After more than 600 years of tests in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Neijinshui River played a decisive role in fire prevention and drainage. It is a manifestation of the perfect creation technology of ancient craftsmen.
Under the city wall between the northwest corner of the Forbidden City and Shenwu Gate, there is a waterway passing through, which is the inlet of the inner Jinshui River. There are iron gates and sluices built at the inlet, called "Shui Pass". The water pass can control the water flow and maintain the water level. To the south of the sluice, the inner Jinshui River first goes west, then south, then west, and then south. After that, it is a straight waterway about 200 meters long, north-south direction, and the distance between it and the west wall of the Forbidden City is about 50 meters.
The picture shows the entrance gate of the Mashen Courtyard inside the Forbidden City wall.
It begins to enter the Jinshui River in the Sima Temple
flows out of the culvert under the exterior wall of the Sima Temple.
flows out of the culvert under the exterior wall of the Sima Temple.
flows through the Chenghuang Temple.
Through the southeast corner of the Chenghuang Temple at the northwest corner, winding to the south,
lingered through the wall, exposed from the northwest Horse Temple, flowing southwest, and through the southeast corner of the Chenghuang Temple at the northwest corner, winding to the south,
At this time, the Jinshui River is heading south, on the left is a high palace wall, and a river appears on the right. There are low walls on both sides of the riverside, and the top of the wall is covered with tiles.
Neijinshui River flows south from Chenghuang Temple. (The river is on the west side, and the west wall of Yinghua Hall is on the east side)
The winding Jinshui River
The world's largest and longest "giant snake" is hidden in the Forbidden City. It is now 600 years old! The winding Jinshui River
The total length of the Jinshui River is 2,100 meters, like nine curves and eighteen bends, with both 180 degrees of large turns and countless small turns of 90 degrees. There are three straight-line distances about 70 meters in the middle. It is spectacular from different angles!
There are seven or eight white marble bridges on the Jinshui River, among which the Jinshui Bridge between the Meridian Gate and Taihe Gate is the most beautiful. The width of the riverbed here is 11.8 meters, and there are 5 single-hole bridges, which are like the Jinshui Bridge in front of Tianan Gate. The slope of the bridge deck is gentle. If you stand in the C position, it will form a momentum surrounding Taihe Gate.
In addition, the three white marble bridges, Wuying Hall, Wenyuan Pavilion, and Shangsiyuan, are all three single-hole bridges. The stone bridges are surrounded by white marble carved railings, and both sides of the river are surrounded by white marble railings.
What is particularly unique is the Duanhong Bridge , which was built in the Yuan Dynasty; Duanhong Bridge is located on the Yu River (Jinshui River) between Taihe Gate and Wuying Hall. It is 18.70 meters long and 9.20 meters wide. The two ends are separated out in the shape of "eight".
Introduction to the Broken Rainbow Bridge
Broken Rainbow Bridge is a single-hole white marble arch bridge that runs north and south, and is also one of the widest stone bridges in the palace. "Rainbow" is originally called a bridge, which is an ancient saying. Coupled with the exquisite stone sculptures spread all over the bridge, the entire bridge exudes an ancient atmosphere.
20 looking columns carved with flipped lotus leaves, beaded lotus flowers and Sumeru pedestals, and a stone lion of different shapes on the top of the seat. The shapes of stone lions are different, one or two, sitting or standing, with vivid shapes, just like life, lively and cute, and there is no similarity, with a total of 34 pieces of them in size. The muscles and bones are revealed, and they are quite ancient.
18 The railing is themed with the theme of two dragons playing with pearls, which is lined with more than ten kinds of flowers such as peony, lotus , chrysanthemums, and openwork lotus bonsai on the upper part, and the two dragons playing and chasing between the reliefs of fragrant flowers, shuttled through the clouds, rain and mist. After hundreds of years of vicissitudes, it is still complete. It can be seen that the magical skills and the exquisite materials can be used.
There are magical beasts with hair on both ends of the bridge, dragon gives birth to nine sons . This man walks six, called "Baxia", with hair on his head like a waterfall, his eyes are bright, and he sits firmly on the base of the water waves. A water-absorbing beast is carved above the bridge hole, with eyes wide open and high to calm the water.
The exquisite materials, gorgeous decoration and exquisite carving of this bridge are the best of the bridges in the Forbidden City.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, a writer and historian Tao Zongyi, a writer and historian in the early Ming Dynasty, said, "There are three rainbows of white jade stone bridges, divided into three paths, and the middle is the imperial road, engraved with flowers and dragons." Xiao Xun, a native of the Ming Dynasty, said, "Three white stone bridges are built on the river, called Zhou Bridge, all of which are carved with dragons and phoenixes and auspicious clouds, and are as bright as jade. There are four white stone dragons under the bridge, which are very strong in the water."
shows that the Broken Rainbow Bridge was originally three rainbows.
When Emperor Yongle of Ming built the Forbidden City, he moved the central axis eastward to the middle of the Jinshui Bridge in Taihemen. Therefore, the Broken Rainbow Bridge could no longer maintain the three rainbows. The two rainbow single-hole bridges were abandoned, and only the one rainbow single-hole bridge that has been preserved to this day.
Broken Rainbow Bridge
Broken Rainbow Bridge
Broken Rainbow Bridge
Broken Rainbow Bridge, the crown of the inner Jinshui River bridges
exquisite white marble sculptures on the Broken Rainbow Bridge
Let’s talk about the stone lions on the Broken Rainbow Bridge: There are 34 stone lions on the 20 looking columns, with different shapes, some squatting and some sitting.
Among them, the most eye-catching star is standing on the south side of the bridge head and counting north. You will see the fourth lion on the east side with two legs on the ground, covering the back of the head with his right front paw and protecting his crotch and abdomen, which looks particularly alternative and cute!
People call it "crotch protection lion".
But is such a stone lion that is loved by everyone and blooms with cute flowers. Why are the people in the market and the tour guides on the scene often tell you mysteriously - don’t touch this lion, and you can’t take photos with it! If you ask why at this time, it will generally lead to the following story and legend - (Note).
lion sculptures of different shapes
People call it "crotch protection lion" (note)
The backing beast of the bridgehead "beatles" on both sides is also eye-catching.
Image source: Internet Backing the mountain beast
Backing the mountain beast is more common in ancient bridges. The meaning of the mountain-backing beast is to keep the bridge safe and long-lasting and avoid disasters through the divine beast as the "backing" of the bridge. In other words, the main function of the mountain beast at both ends of the bridge is to "keep the bridge".
At the ends of the stone railing of the bridge, there are four mountain beasts carved in total. Their hairs on their necks fly up and connect backwards to the watch pillar; their bodies are strong and their muscles are strong; their front paws are supported with force, as if they are trying their best to hold the watch pillar; so that their own function and artistic form are perfectly unified. Although some of them have been weathered, their erotic posture is still clearly visible. However, there has been no conclusion on its image recognition, and some scholars prefer it to be Qilin .
exquisite white marble sculpture on the Broken Rainbow Bridge. The Back Mountain Beast
On the Broken Rainbow Bridge. The Golden Water River in the inner city comes from the northwest of the Forbidden City. One stops in front of the Wuying Hall and turns north, the other stretches and turns south, and finally winds eastward, and goes to Taihe Gate to compose the most gorgeous music. In this short stretch, there is a wonderful note that spans it, conveying the message of the Great Qianyuan. This is the Broken Rainbow Bridge, the crown of the Forbidden City's bridges, and the only remaining ancient bridge in the Yuan Dynasty.
Therefore, some people say: First there is the Broken Rainbow Bridge, then there is the Forbidden City.
The Jinshui River in the Forbidden City is like a long floating ribbon floating in the ocean of the palace buildings of the Forbidden City.
According to the investigation by experts from the Palace Museum, the Golden Water River that runs through the entire Forbidden City is like a flying dragon; its head is in the northwest corner and its tail is in the southeast corner. Since the water flows from the Yuquan Mountain Qingquan in the northwest of the capital, it is clear and endless for many years.
Because the water flows from the clear springs of Yuquan Mountain in the northwest of the capital, it is clear and endless for many years.
Looking at the Jinshui Bridge in front of the Meridian Gate from Taihe Gate
Jinshui River in Taihe Gate Square
Jinshui River rippling with blue waves Compared with the outer Jinshui River in front of Tiananmen Gate, it is called the inner Jinshui River.
meandering in the Neijinshui River north of the Meridian Gate
white marble bridge in front of Wenyuan Pavilion
white marble bridge in front of Wenyuan Pavilion
three white marble bridges in front of Shangsiyuan Gate
I believe that those who have been to the Forbidden City must know that there is a very long "snake" in the Forbidden City, winding in the Forbidden City. This snake is also known as the longest snake in history. It has been wandering in the city since the completion of the Forbidden City, for 600 years. You must know that this is not an ordinary snake. It is more like a guardian of the Forbidden City, and it continues to continue.
Speaking of this, you may be a little curious, but in fact, this snake is the Jinshui River in the city. The two ends of this river are connected to the moat. Although it is only 2 kilometers, it has a source and confluence.
The source of the Jinshui River is a stone cave in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City. The river flows through the cave into the city, flows out from the Horse Temple, and then flows to the south, passing through the City God Temple, passing through Wuying Hall and other buildings. Finally, it flowed out from the Taihe Gate. After several twists and turns, it flowed into the moat.
Ten years, one hundred years, water has never been interrupted. He winds around the Forbidden City like a giant snake.
In ancient times, people were not very afraid of snakes. In their eyes, snakes are not ordinary animals, but reptile that represents a different meaning. They regard snakes as a divine beast that can be watched and also a holy object.
Therefore, when designers design the Forbidden City drawings, they will specifically design the direction of the river to be winding, just like a snake. Judging from the location of Jinshui River, the head is located at the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, and the tail is located at the southeast corner, just passing through the Meridian Gate and Taihe Gate, and has been guarding the Forbidden City.
I believe everyone now understands why the rivers in the Forbidden City are not straight, but tortuous. This is a very important reason.
(Note) "Crotch Lion" legend (information comes from the Internet);
Crotch Lion is famous for its cute image, with hands covering the crotch, full of cuteness, and has been paired with unofficial history by netizens and became popular on the Internet. According to legend, Yi Wei, the son of Emperor Daoguang, was the reincarnation of this stone lion.
Duanhong Bridge is said to be a building on the central axis of Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty. From this we can see that the central axis of the Ming and Qing dynasties moved several dozen meters eastward than the Yuan Dynasty. In addition, the fourth lion from the south on the east side of the Duanhong Bridge is the most strange in shape. This lion grabbed the back of his head with his hands and looked melancholy. It is said that the emperor once passed by Duanhong Bridge and saw this lion's expression. He couldn't help but think of his eldest son Yiwei to death not long ago, and he couldn't help but feel regretful.
When it comes to the Broken Rainbow Bridge, it is easy to remind people of the broken bridge in West Lake in Hangzhou. When it comes to the Broken Bridge, it is easy to remind people of the sad love story of Xu Xian and Bai Snake. There are also stories about Duanhong Bridge, which is similar to Duanqiao’s name, but it is not very beautiful, but it is a bit scary. The Duanhong Bridge is located outside the Taihe Gate of the Forbidden City, east of Wuying Hall, facing north and south, 18.7 meters long and 9.2 meters wide. It is a single arch stone voucher, spanning the inner Jinshui River. When this bridge was built, it is still controversial. One is said to be built when the Beijing Imperial City was built in the early Ming Dynasty; the other is said to be a building on the central axis of Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty. Whether it is Yuan or Ming, the history of this bridge has been confirmed for hundreds of years.
It is said that the name of Duanhongqiao is commonly known as it is because no records are found in the historical materials of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.There are two statements about the origin of the name: First, there are three bridges here, one of the Zhou bridges outside Chongtianmen, the Yuan Dynasty imperial palace, and the name is Rainbow Bridge. Later, Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing. When the palace was built, the central axis was moved dozens of meters eastward. The west of the bridge was Wuying Hall and Xihuamen . The three bridges seemed a bit redundant, so the two were demolished and only one was left, so it was named Duanhong Bridge.
The second statement is a bit "terrifying". It is said that this bridge was originally commonly known as the Broken Soul Bridge. Later, I thought the name was really scary, so I changed it to Broken Rainbow Bridge with the homonym. So why call it the Soul-Breaking Bridge? One said that the palace maids who died during the dynasty and buried with the emperor had to cross this bridge and leave Xihua Gate. This is the last bridge that the palace maids walked on. After crossing the bridge, they would "break their souls" and go to be companions for the emperors who were "underground";
Another said that the concubines who made mistakes in the Ming and Qing dynasties had to go through this bridge to a certain place in the west of the palace to receive torture, and most of them had gone but no return. Third, the ministers who committed serious crimes that year had to cross this bridge and went outside Xihua Gate to receive death penalty after being "inspection" by the emperor. However, these "terrifying" legends are just legends, and they are unlikely to be true. First, the Duanhong Bridge cannot be "adapted" from the Duan Soul Bridge. How could such an unlucky name appear in the palace?
Second, since , the Qin Dynasty , it has not been "popular" for living people to be buried with them. Although this cruel system was restored in the early Ming Dynasty, Ming Yingzong was explicitly prohibited; third, when the concubines made mistakes in the past, they were generally "demoted". If they were seriously injured, they were sent to the cold palace. At most, poisonous wine and white silk were given to them to "break themselves", and they would almost never be beaten to death; third, if the ministers committed crimes, even if the emperor tried the imperial examination, they would not be killed immediately, and they would have to wait until " asked to kill after the autumn", so the death row prisoners would not start from the palace when they went to the execution ground!
Although these legends are not true, another not-so-good story related to Duanhong Bridge has actually happened: that is, the stone lion of Duanhong Bridge has suffered a "head covering punishment"! The matter has to start with the "decoration style" of Duanhong Bridge: Duanhong Bridge is an imperial finger bridge built in the imperial city, so the building level is very high. The bridge deck is paved with white marble stones, and the stone railings on both sides are carved with flower-shaped dragon patterns. It can be said to be exquisite and luxurious, especially the stone lions on the pillars, with different expressions and lifelikeness. There are stone lions on many ancient bridges in Beijing. "There are countless lions in Lugou Bridge " is of course the most famous, but the stone lions in Broken Rainbow Bridge are different from other places, especially the fourth "tickling the head and protecting the crotch" lion from the east side of the bridge is the most bizarre and unique. The one we just mentioned is it.
This incident occurred in Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Daoguang was of the Min generation, named Minning, and the next generation was of the Yi generation. Daoguang's eldest son was named Yiwei, which is the eldest brother of Emperor Yizhu. Originally, as the eldest son, Yiwei had great hope of inheriting the throne and becoming the emperor, but he died in an accident in his twenties. It was his father who caused this accident: Emperor Daoguang - Yiwei was kicked to death by his father! Although Yiwei is Daoguang's eldest son, his mother is a humble mother and is just a maid next to Daoguang. Because the son is noble for his mother, Yiwei is not very popular after birth. Yiwei, who grew up under the neglect and cold eyes of others, has formed a sensitive and irritable personality and does not like to study very much.
That year, Yiwei was already 23 years old. Once the teacher who taught him was in class, he found that Yiwei was not serious at all. The teacher also advised him out of kindness, saying that you saw that your two brothers died one after another (Yi Zhu, that is, Xianfeng, was not born yet), so you still have great hope of inheriting the throne in the future. You must study hard so that you can become a good emperor in the future. Unexpectedly, Yiwei not only disobeyed, but was furious, pointing at the teacher's nose and scolding, "One day I became the emperor, and I will kill you first." The teacher's kindness was regarded as a donkey's liver and lungs. He was so angry that he told Daoguang about this. Daoguang was also very angry and called his son to scold him. Unexpectedly, Yiwei was still dissatisfied and contradicted his father. In a rage, Daoguang kicked his son.Originally, I was a natural person to teach my son a disobedient, and he would not be able to beat him twice, and even if he kicked him, he would not be able to increase domestic violence. But unexpectedly, Daoguang did not grasp the right measure and hit his son's lower body.
After some rescue, Yiwei's life was still not saved. In this way, the young prince died in a bad life. This was the famous incident of Daoguang kicking his eldest son to death in the Qing Dynasty. After Yiwei's death, Daoguang regretted it. In feudal society, the emperor was the lord of the world, so naturally no one held him criminally responsible. However, at the funeral, Emperor Daoguang did not care about his image and slapped on Yiwei's coffin and cried into tears. He may be regretting his impulse, or repenting his ignorance, hearing, and being hot and cold for twenty years. Afterwards, when Daoguang passed by the Broken Rainbow Bridge, he accidentally discovered the lion "scratch the head and protect the crotch". The little lion scratched his head as if he was thinking about something and regretting something, and the other "hand" of the crotch protection posture seemed to show pain.
Daoguang suddenly recalled his mistake and the tragic situation of his son's death in pain. So he couldn't bear to look at it anymore, so he ordered someone to cover the little lion with a red cloth. Nowadays, the Broken Rainbow Bridge is still there, the stone lion is still there, and those not beautiful stories have never been forgotten by people. But things have changed, everything has become a thing of the past. The Broken Rainbow Bridge is no longer an imperial bridge, but has become a scenic spot for tourists to visit. It is known as the top of the bridges in the Forbidden City for its exquisite materials, gorgeous decoration and exquisite carving.
At this point, the introduction of the Forbidden City Jinshui River has come to an end.
