On the stage of Qing Dynasty history, there was a unique prince who was known for his "confusion" but was unharmed in the undercurrent of court politics. This prince is Yongzheng's fifth son, Hongday, a wise man who successfully protects his own and his family's interests with the art of "pretending to be stupid". His story not only shows the wisdom of a person's survival, but also reflects the various human conditions in the struggle for power.
Hongli was born in the 50th year of Kangxi, which coincided with the turbulent period of "nine sons seizing the heir". He witnessed first-hand the brutal struggle of his fathers for the throne, an experience that deeply affected his outlook on life. Despite his illustrious background and talent, Hongyang has chosen a different path in life.
A poem he wrote: "The world is impermanent, and the cup is drunk." It is rare to have a confidant in life, and you can talk about the past and the present when you push the cup. On the surface, this is a poem describing the pleasure of time, but in fact, this "life-saving poem" skillfully portrays the image of a gentleman, and successfully keeps Hongyang away from the whirlpool of power.
Hongyang not only witnessed the fight between his fathers, but also experienced the open and secret struggle between his brothers. His elder brother Hongshi coveted the throne and was finally "cut to death" by Yongzheng. This incident strengthened Hongyang's determination to stay away from the center of power.
In the eleventh year of Yongzheng, Hongday was named Prince He, but he had no interest in real power. He invented the game of "funeral of the living", and often held his own "funeral", inviting ministers to participate, while he drank and had fun on the sidelines. This seemingly absurd behavior is actually his elaborate strategy of "escapism".
Even after Qianlong ascended the throne, Hongday still went his own way. On one occasion, he even beat up the Minister of Military Aircraft at a court meeting. However, instead of punishing him, Qianlong promoted him many times, making him a powerful figure in the Qing court.
Hongday's "confused" way not only preserved himself, but also sought glory and wealth for future generations. He is well versed in the philosophy of "rare confusion", and uses the strategy of "avoiding" and "letting" to gain a firm foothold in the turbulent waves of power.
From the nine sons seizing the heir to the sibling struggle, Hongday saw through the essence of the power struggle. He chose a different path, and with the wisdom of "pretending to be confused", he successfully avoided the temptations and dangers of power. His story teaches us that sometimes, "foolishness" is the real "wisdom".
In today's society, Hongday's way of survival is still instructive. In the workplace, in business, and even in politics, we can often see similar "confused" wisdom. It reminds us that in a complex environment, sometimes keeping a low profile and avoiding the sharp edge can achieve long-term stability.
The story of Hongyang is not only a legend of a historical figure, but also a mirror, reflecting the complexity of human nature and the wisdom of survival. It tells us that while pursuing success, we must also learn to judge the situation and know how to be "confused" in a timely manner, so that we can ride the wind and waves in the long river of life and finally reach the other side of the ideal.