As we all know that the economy of China is facing great pressure now, where will it go? Many people concern this, so whether China’s economy can continue to maintain development or would face plunge?
Today, I will tell you a story about this special emperor related to Chengdu, and after the story, you may have some hint about the answer.
Many foreigners like to visit Wang Jian’s tomb in Chengdu. This is the only above ground imperial tomb in China. Other imperial tombs are buried deep underground, but Wang Jian’s tomb is above ground level(There are still more interesting details and stories, but this article would not include).
Wang Jian was the founding emperor of Qian Shu Kingdom, during the Five Dynasties period（907AD－979AD）. He was born in the chaotic era of the late Tang Dynasty, when his parents passed away very early, he had to do everything to make a living and suffered a lot.
As severe living condition for common people couldn’t be beard anymore, a serious peasant uprising led by Huang Chao broke out. At the age of 27, Wang Jian joined the Tang Zhongwu Army in Xuzhou under the advice of a monk from Wudang Mountain. Due to his bravery and strategy in the battles of governmental army against the peasants, he was promoted to Colonel a year later. During the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, Wang Jian protected each emperor twice, received several political awards, and ultimately became the “King of Shu” who ruled the Sichuan and Chongqing regions today with his own military strength.
When the last Tang Dynasty emperor was killed by other feudal lords, Wang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, with the country name “Dashu” and historically known as Qianshu. As a result, Wang Jian became the founding emperor of Qianshu.
This period, known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms in Chinese history, was a 72 year long period of great division that included five dynasties in the Central Plain region and ten neighboring countries. Former Shu belongs to one of the ten countries.
In Chinese history, there have been multiple periods of such great division, each of which had the possibility of ordinary people becoming social elites through their own efforts and strength. The most famous example may be the story of the beggar monk Zhu Yuanzhang becoming the founder of the Ming Dynasty.
About 2200 years ago, during the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, the peasant uprising led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had a profound impact. Not only did it disintegrate the rule of the Qin Dynasty, but it also shouted the first slogan famous throughout our history: Kings and nobles, generals and ministers — such men are made, not born! This has become a spell that promotes the mobility of Chinese social classes, plus since the Sui and Tang dynasties, the imperial examination has created a channel for ordinary people to enter the upper echelons of society. Over thousands of years of history, Chinese people have believed that hard working can change their destiny, in difficult times, a large number of people are full of fighting spirit, it is an important driving force for social transformation.
So a considerable number of people believe that no matter what difficulties China faces, even if crises like the situation from the late Qing Dynasty to World War II, even though most of the people at that time were still quite ignorant, under the guidance of a group of determined people they can still drag China out of difficulties and usher in a new life.
If you would like to visit Yongling or tomb of Wang Jian by person, learn more about this legendary emperor and his tomb, please contact me by email: pandawego@foxmail.com
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