The story of the star Dongfang Shuo and the Yuanxiao girl reappears, and the arrival of this moment is related to the custom of eating glutinous rice balls on the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month:
According to legend Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che had a favorite named Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo seems to be mentioned in Lu Xun " From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore ", but it has nothing to do with it.
Dongfang Shuo was upright and funny, and won the favor of Emperor Liu. Therefore, I have the opportunity to frequently visit the palace and Yuwan Fairy Garden.
Without further ado, one winter, there was a heavy snowfall, and the world was covered with snow. Dongfang Shuo was in a good mood. When he saw wintersweet in full bloom in the imperial garden, he wanted to break a few branches to share the joy of the emperor and his subjects.
As soon as I stepped into the Imperial Garden, what I saw was not the plum blossoms blooming proudly, but a palace maid tearfully preparing to jump into the well.
In this deep palace and cold weather, a strange thing was not a problem. Dongfang Shuo hurried up to rescue her without saying a word, and asked her urgently what was wrong with her.
Through questions and answers, Dongfang Shuo gradually came to understand: It turned out that the palace maid was named Yuanxiao, and she lived in Wulibao outside the city. She had parents and a younger sister. Since Yuanxiao entered the palace, she has never been back, let alone met her family to reminisce. Every year at the end of the year, she misses her so much.
In order to end the pain of homesickness and the difficulty of fulfilling his filial piety, he committed suicide to show his resistance.
Dongfang Shuo learned about her life experience and felt sympathy. He felt that this was a common phenomenon, so he told her that he must find ways to reunite her with her family.
After careful consideration, Dongfang Shuo set up a divination stall on the left side of the theater on Chang'an Street, regardless of the cold. Because of his kind-hearted person, many people gathered around to divine good or bad luck. It's really strange that the fortunes drawn by everyone are all "burning with fire" on the 16th day of the first lunar month.
For a time everyone in Chang'an City was in danger and extremely fearful. People have asked: "Is there any solution?"
Dongfang Shuo naturally stood up and said: "On the 13th of the first lunar month, after the sun sets, Lord Vulcan will send a goddess in red clothes down to earth to investigate. She is the envoy who is ordered to burn the city of Chang'an. I will give you the transcribed verses and ask the current emperor to think of a solution." After
finished speaking, he threw down a red poster. After the people scrambled to get it, they quickly reported it to the emperor in the palace.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, originally believed in immortality. When he saw the red post handed over by the eunuch, it read: " Chang'an is in tribulation, the emperor's palace is set on fire, fifteen days of fire, and a flaming red supper."
He was convinced and shocked.
First, he consulted Dongfang Shuo, who was resourceful and knowledgeable about immortality.
Dongfang Shuo pretended to think over and over again and then said: "I heard that Master Vulcan loves to eat glutinous rice balls. The Yuanxiao girl in the palace makes glutinous rice balls the best. On the night of the 15th, I ask Yuanxiao to make glutinous rice balls. Your Majesty, you will burn incense and offer it, and decree that everyone in Chang'an will make glutinous rice balls, and everyone will worship the Lord Vulcan together. Tell the people to have fun together, hang lanterns on the night of the 15th, and light firecrackers throughout the city. The fireworks were set off as if the whole city was on fire, so that the Jade Emperor could be easily deceived.
He also issued a notice that all the people outside the city could come to the city to watch the lanterns on the night of the 15th to eliminate disasters. "After hearing this, Emperor Han was very happy and made a decree to do what Dongfang Shuo wanted.
On the 15th day of the first lunar month , the city of Chang'an was decorated with lights and colorful, crowded with tourists, and very lively. The parents and younger sister of the palace maid Yuanxiao were also among them.
When they saw the word "Yuanxiao" written on the palace lantern, they shouted happily:
"Lanxiao! Lantern Festival!" The girl Yuanxiao heard the shout, looked for fame, and finally reunited her family.
It was such a lively night, but Chang'an City was still peaceful. The Han Emperor was naturally overjoyed and ordered that every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, glutinous rice dumplings would be made as offerings to the God of Fire, and lanterns and fireworks would be hung up as usual.
Because the Yuanxiao girl makes the best glutinous rice balls, the glutinous rice balls are called Yuanxiao, and the fifteenth day is also called the Lantern Festival! .
