Everyone knows the suffering of famine in ancient times, but they don't know that there are many unknown bitterness. When the haze of hunger hung over the land, people had to live by gnawing on tree bark and weeds. However, when we think about it, we can't help but ask: why not go fishing to satisfy our hunger? Fish are abundant and appear to be more accessible and nutritious than tree bark. Could it be that the ancients did not know how to fish? Or is there some unknown reason? Let's unravel this historical mystery and explore the wisdom of the ancients in times of famine. What was the reason why the ancients preferred to gnaw on tree bark rather than fish? What is the historical background and social factors behind this that influence their choice?
Frequent Famines: The Fragility of Ancient Agrarian Societies
It is said that in that distant ancient times, our ancestors lived a life of relying on the sky for food. At that time, agriculture was the lifeblood of the common people, but this lifeblood was very fragile. Don't underestimate this fragility, it has caused countless ancients to suffer from famine!
It would be difficult to describe the root cause of low agricultural productivity. Listen to me slowly.
First of all, let's talk about the farming tools of that time. The ancients did not have these bells and whistles machines for farming, but relied on a wooden plough and a hoe. Don't say it, these guys handed down from their ancestors are really durable, but they are durable, and the efficiency is very low. When an acre of land comes down, people are so tired that they can't straighten their waists, but the harvest is not enough to stuff their teeth.
Let's talk about the fertilizer. Today's chemical fertilizers and pesticides were unimaginable luxuries in ancient times. The ancients relied on human and animal manure for fertilization, how much nutrients can such a thing provide to the crops in the field? As you can imagine, the crops grow thin and small, and the yield naturally cannot go up.
The worst thing is that the ancients' knowledge of agriculture was too limited. When to sow seeds, how to choose seeds, and how to control insects all depend on the experience that has been explored from generation to generation. But this experience is often local, once you encounter abnormal weather or change the place to farm, it can be blind.
Speaking of which, you may ask: Didn't the ancients think about improving agricultural technology? Not to mention, there are really many talented people with lofty ideals who have pondered this. For example, Wang Anshi in the Northern Song Dynasty carried out the "green seedling method" and wanted to help farmers solve the problem of capital turnover. It is a pity that this method is self-defeating in practice, and on the contrary, it has increased the burden on the peasants.
For example, during the Yuan Dynasty, Guo Shoujing improved the water conservancy system, which greatly improved the efficiency of irrigation of farmland in the Yellow River Basin. But such technological progress is only a drop in the ocean in the entire long history of ancient history.
The impact of natural and man-made disasters on grain production was a major problem for the ancients. There was a drought and the crops were scorched; A flood flooded the fields; Another locust plague would be a no-brainer. Not to mention the war years, the fields were barren, and even the labor force for farming was gone.
Take the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty as an example. At that time, natural disasters and man-made disasters followed, droughts, locust plagues, and plagues took turns to fight, and Li Zicheng's rebel army fought everywhere, how could the common people still have the heart to farm? The result can be imagined, a large-scale famine swept in, starvation was everywhere, and the horror was unbearable.
The ancient grain reserve system is also a topic that makes people laugh and cry. Theoretically, the imperial court had such a thing as "Chang Ping", which was specially used to store grain in case of famine. But in reality? The grain in this warehouse is often filled by corrupt officials and corrupt officials, and when it is really needed, when the warehouse door is opened, it is already empty.
Let's talk about the Song Dynasty, the regular closing system at that time was quite perfect. But in the Southern Song Dynasty, the imperial court's finances were tight, and they even came up with a "folding method" to exchange the reserve grain for money. The result? In the event of a famine, the money will not be able to buy enough food, and the people will still starve.
Bark Hunger: Helplessness or Survival Wisdom?
When it comes to bark hunger, modern people will inevitably find it incredible. But in that era of famine, the bark became the hope of many people to survive. This is not a fabrication, it is recorded in history.
And when it comes to the Song Dynasty, there are many records in the Fang Zhi about the common people eating tree bark. "Jiading Zhenjiang Chronicles" mentions: "If the people are poor, they eat pine bark". This pine bark is not something that can be eaten casually, but the ancients have figured out a complex set of ways to deal with it.
First of all, the pine bark has to be peeled off, and the rough outer layer is removed, leaving only the white inner skin on the inside. Then, soak the inner skin in water, soak it until soft, then take it out and pound it into a fine paste. Finally, the paste is dried and ground into a powder before it can be eaten.
Don't look at the tedious process, but compared to being hungry, this is the ability to save your life. Moreover, this bark powder is really not without nutrients. Pine bark contains a certain amount of starch and fiber, and although it is not delicious, it can at least fill the stomach and continue life.
Not only pine bark, but also elm bark is also a "life-saving food" often eaten by the ancients. There is a detailed method of eating elm bark in "Qi Min Yaoshu": "Take elm bark, cook it, expose it to drying, crush it, and remove the skin to make porridge, which is very beautiful." "This elm bark is really a bit exquisite, and it is said that it tastes quite good when cooked.
Tree bark has a lot of advantages over other wild foods. First of all, the bark is everywhere, unlike wild vegetables that need to be searched around. Secondly, the bark is available all year round and is not limited by the season. Furthermore, the bark is relatively low-toxicity, unlike some wild plants that can be deadly.
Speaking of which, I have to mention an interesting historical vignette. Legend has it that during the Northern Song Dynasty, the famous writer Su Shi tried to eat tree bark during his derogation of Huangzhou. Not only did he eat it himself, but he also taught the local people how to handle the bark. This move not only helped the locals survive the difficult times, but also left a valuable experience for future generations.
Although the bark can save lives, long-term consumption is also risky. The bark contains a lot of crude fiber and tannins, and excessive intake may cause digestive problems. The ancients also gradually realized this and began to explore how to reduce the side effects of the bark.
Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty recorded an improved method of eating tree bark in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". He recommends mixing the bark with bran to increase nutrition and reduce the discomfort of eating the bark alone. This method was widely adopted in later famines and can be said to be the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancients.
Over time, the ancient people's understanding of the consumption of tree bark has also evolved. Initially, eating the bark was seen as a last resort. But later, in some places, the bark was even made into a daily food.
For example, in Shanxi, there is a food called "elm skin noodles". This food is made from a mixture of elm bark flour and flour, which can not only satisfy hunger in times of famine, but also serve as a staple food in normal times. It is said that this elm bark noodle also has digestive effects and has become a local specialty.
During the Qing Dynasty, the imperial court even included the method of eating tree bark in the official famine relief manual. The "Materia Medica" records in detail a variety of ways to eat the bark of trees, which shows the importance attached to this life-saving method at that time.
However, the bark is a desperate thing to do. Its widespread use reflects the fragility of ancient agrarian societies. Whenever there is a mass famine, people have to rely on this extreme way to stay alive. This phenomenon continued until modern times, until the progress of agricultural technology and the improvement of the social system, and gradually disappeared in the long river of history.
The Limitations of Fisheries: The Dilemma of Ancient Fishing
When it comes to fishing in ancient times, it wasn't as easy as it is now. The ancients had to take a bite of fish. Let's listen to me slowly, and see what problems the ancients encountered in fishing.
First of all, let's talk about ancient fishing gear. At that time, there were no such advanced fishing nets and fishing boats, and the ancients relied on some rudimentary tools to catch fish. The most common are hooks and harpoons, which may seem simple, but they are not easy to use.
Back then, Lü Buwei during the Warring States Period mentioned an interesting story in "Lü's Spring and Autumn". It is said that there was a fisherman fishing by the river, but he didn't catch a single small fish all day. An old man next to him couldn't stand it anymore, so he taught him a trick: "Your hook is too big, and the fish are scared away." When the fisherman heard this, he immediately changed his hook, and sure enough, it didn't take long for him to catch a big fish. This story tells us that even the simplest fishhook can be used with care.
Let's talk about fishing nets. The fishing nets of the ancients were not as strong and durable as they are today, and were mostly woven with hemp rope or cotton thread. This kind of net is not only easy to break, but also very heavy. You think, once you go down the net, it will take a lot of effort just to pull the net up, let alone deal with those desperately struggling fish.
During the Qin and Han dynasties, fishermen invented a type of fishing gear called "罾". This thing is actually a kind of large net bag, made of bamboo as a frame, and covered with a net. The fishermen put this "scum" in the water and waited for the fish to swim in before lifting it. This method may seem good, but it is actually not very efficient and is only suitable for use in shallow waters.
Speaking of which, I have to mention the ancient fishing boats. At that time, most of the fishing boats were small wooden boats, which could not withstand the wind and waves. When the weather is bad, the fishermen can only hide on the shore and stare dryly. Not to mention fishing in the deep sea, it's unthinkable.
Fan Zhongyan, a writer in the Song Dynasty, wrote in "The Story of Yueyang Tower": "The vast soup is boundless", which describes the magnificent scene of Dongting Lake. However, with such a large lake, the range of fish that ancient fishermen could catch was quite limited.
In addition to the limitations of tools, the ancients also faced seasonal constraints in fishing. Freezing water in winter and torrential rains in summer can affect fishing activities. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu once wrote: "The fish come out in the drizzle, and the swallows are slanted in the breeze", describing the scene when the fish begin to be active in spring. It can be seen that the time for large-scale fishing is actually very limited.
There is another issue that cannot be overlooked, and that is the preservation of fish. In ancient times, there was no such thing as a refrigerator, and once the fish was caught, it would quickly deteriorate if it was not disposed of quickly. Therefore, even if fish are caught, it may not be able to solve the problem of mass famine.
Shen Kuo of the Song Dynasty recorded an interesting method of preserving fish in the "Dream Creek Writings". He said that live fish could be placed in an urn filled with water and the water could be changed every day so that the fish would survive for a long time. But this method is obviously only suitable for small-scale use, and is a drop in the bucket for large-scale famine relief.
In addition, the transportation situation in ancient times also limited the development of the fishing industry. It's hard for people in the inland to get fresh sea fish. Even if a large amount of fish is caught in coastal areas, it is difficult to transport it inland in time to help the victims.
Xu Guangqi of the Ming Dynasty mentioned an interesting phenomenon in the "Complete Book of Agricultural Administration". He said that fishermen in coastal areas sometimes worry about catching too many fish because they have to throw away the fish that cannot be sold. At the same time, people in the hinterland may be suffering from hunger. This situation fully exposes the limitations of ancient transportation and logistics.
Finally, we have to talk about the ancient fishing policy. Many dynasties had so-called "water bans", which restricted people from fishing at will. The Tang Dynasty, for example, stipulated that only those with official permission could fish in certain waters. While this policy is conducive to the conservation of water resources, it will undoubtedly exacerbate food shortages in times of famine.
Artificial Cultivation: The Hardships of Starting from Scratch
When it comes to artificial planting, modern people may think that it is as simple as sowing, watering, and fertilizing. But in ancient times, it was a great undertaking that required wisdom, courage and perseverance. Let's go back to that era and see how the ancients reclaimed wasteland step by step, turning barren land into fertile soil.
First of all, let's talk about land reclamation. In ancient times, large tracts of undeveloped land were often covered with dense forests or tenacious weeds. It is not easy to turn these places into arable fields.
An interesting story is recorded in the "Lü's Spring and Autumn Period" during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It is said that there is a guy named Zheng Ren, who saw that the stump in front of his house was in the way, and wanted to pull it out. But he didn't move even when he tried to feed. At this time, his neighbor, the old farmer, could not stand it anymore, so he brought an axe and cut down the stump with three strokes and five divisions. This story tells us that it takes not only strength, but also wisdom and experience to open up wasteland.
Let's talk about land preparation. The ancients did not have modern cultivators, and relied entirely on human and animal power. The most common tools are plows and harrows. The plough is used to turn the soil, and the rake is used to break up large clods. This may seem like a simple job, but it's not easy to do it well.
The Han Dynasty's agricultural book, The Book of Victory, describes in detail how to use plows and harrows. The book says that when using a plow, it is necessary to "plough deeply", which means to plough the land deep and finely. Doing so not only makes it easier for the seeds to take root, but also increases the soil's ability to retain water. But if you think about it, how laborious it is to plough hard ground repeatedly with a wooden plow.
The selection and preservation of seeds is also a matter of course. The ancients did not have a modern seed bank, so they relied on their own seeds. This requires farmers to have enough experience to know which seeds are suitable for seed retention and how to preserve them from becoming moldy or eaten by insects.
An interesting method of seed preservation is recorded in the Song Dynasty's Qi Min Yao Shu. The book says that seeds can be placed in a jar filled with straw ash to keep insects out and keep them alive. This kind of wisdom is a valuable experience summed up by the ancients after countless failures.
Sowing seeds is also a technical job. Different crops require different sowing methods. Some need to be sprinkled directly in the ground, while others need to be planted before transplanting. The time is also very particular, it is not good to be early or late.
Xu Guangqi of the Ming Dynasty mentioned the "method of planting wheat" in the "Complete Book of Agricultural Administration". He said that when planting wheat, it is necessary to wait until after the "white dew" solar term and when the moisture in the field is just right. When sowing seeds, you should also pay attention to the depth, too deep the seeds will not come out, too shallow and afraid of being eaten by birds. You see, there is so much attention to growing wheat.
Once the seeds are planted, the long wait and care is ensued. Weeding, watering, fertilizing, everything. The ancients did not have chemical fertilizers, so they relied on homemade organic fertilizers. The most common is manure, which is the manure of humans and animals.
The Han Dynasty's "Four People's Moon Order" recorded in detail how to make and use manure. The book says that the manure should be mixed with plant ash and stacked for a period of time before it can be used. Although this fertilizer is effective, the process of making and using it is dirty and smelly, and it requires enough patience and perseverance on the part of farmers.
In addition to this, the ancients also had to face the threat of various natural disasters. Droughts, floods, and insect plagues can make a year's hard work of farmers go to waste.
The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu described such a scene in his poem: "Plant a grain of millet in spring, and harvest 10,000 seeds in autumn." There is no idle land in the four seas, and the farmers are still starving to death. These poems vividly express the hardships and helplessness of the ancient peasants.
In the face of these difficulties, the ancients also came up with many countermeasures. For example, in order to prevent drought, they invented irrigation tools such as water wheels and overturned cars. To prevent flooding, they built dikes and ditches. To keep insects off, they even came up with a way to use ducks to eat bugs.
In the Song Dynasty's "Chen Yang Nongshu", an interesting method of insect control was recorded. The book says that ducks can be stocked in the field and let the ducks eat pests. This method is not only effective in controlling pests, but also provides farmers with additional income. It can be said that it is the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancients.
In general, artificial cultivation in ancient times was an extremely difficult task. From clearing the land to harvesting, every link is full of challenges. It was with this perseverance and accumulated wisdom that the ancients were able to barely make ends meet in those difficult times.
Emergency Measures: Survival Wisdom in Time of Famine
In those bad days, the common people suffered a lot. But even in such a difficult time, our ancestors also came up with many ways to deal with famine. This wisdom is truly breathtaking.
First of all, let's talk about the terrible story of "eating by children". This matter is recorded in the "Zuo Biography". It is said that in 594 B.C., there was a great famine in Zheng State, and the common people really had no choice, so they exchanged their children with other people's children for food. This kind of thing sounds chilling, but in those days, it was a choice that some people had to make.
Still, most of the time, people will find ways to find other food sources. For example, wild vegetables have become a lifesaver for many people.
There are many edible wild vegetables recorded in "Qi Min Yaoshu", such as bitter herbs, camellia, artemisia seeds, and so on. These wild vegetables may not taste very good, but they can fill your stomach. Interestingly, some of the wild herbs turned out to be delicious later on. For example, Ulva is known as the "King of Water Vegetables" in the "Jing Chu Years Chronicles" during the Southern Dynasties.
In addition to wild vegetables, tree bark is also a common emergency food. Pine bark, locust bark, and even elm bark can satisfy hunger. In the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, it is recorded that a man named Guo Yu survived by eating tree bark during the famine. Later, he became an official, and every time he ate a bite of tree bark before eating, he commemorated those difficult years.
Let's talk about Guanyin soil. It's actually a kind of clay, which looks like mud, but it's edible. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty mentioned this kind of soil in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". He said that this soil can detoxify and stop diarrhea. In times of famine, people would mix this soil with some grain to increase their satiety.
Interestingly, in some places, people will also make cakes from Guanyin soil, dry them and store them. When you really can't open the pot, take it out to satisfy your hunger. This kind of wisdom is really admirable.
Speaking of which, I have to mention "easy to eat and wear". This allusion is from "Warring States Policy". It is said that there was a famine in Qi one year, and the common people really had no choice, so they took their clothes to exchange for food. When the king of Qi heard about it, he took out his clothes and exchanged them for food to help the people. This story later became an allusion to the king's compassion for the people.
In addition to finding alternative foods, the ancients also invented many ways to preserve food. Pickling, for example, is a common method. There are many pickling methods recorded in "Qi Min Yaoshu", such as pickled radishes, pickled melons and the like. These pickled foods not only last for a long time, but also provide the necessary salt and vitamins in times of famine.
There is also a method called "exposure drying", which is to dry the food. The "Encyclopedia of Agricultural Administration" mentions how to dry grain and vegetables. Not only does this method keep food longer, but it also reduces weight and makes it easier to transport and store.
When it comes to storage, the wisdom of the ancients is truly breathtaking. Cellars, for example, are a common type of storage. The "Qi Min Yao Shu" records in detail how to build and use the cellar. This underground storage room not only maintains a constant temperature, but also protects against insects and rodents, making it a great place to store food.
In addition to these individual efforts, the government also had some measures to deal with the famine. For example, opening a warehouse to release grain is a common practice. The Book of Han records an opening of grain during the period of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. At that time, because of years of war and natural disasters, the common people lived a very hard life. Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty ordered the opening of the warehouse to release grain, and also reduced taxes, which allowed the people to tide over the difficulties.
There is also a method called "cash for work". This practice can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn period. The "Chinese" records that the Lu State organized the people to build the city wall during the famine. This will not only provide jobs and food for the people, but also complete some public works. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.
Interestingly, some places are usually prepared. For example, some places in the Ming Dynasty had a "shecang" system. It is a kind of granary that is managed by the local people themselves. In normal times, people save surplus food, and when there is a famine, they can borrow it. This form of mutual aid has largely relieved the pressure of famine.
In general, in the face of famine, the ancients can be described as racking their brains. From finding alternative food, to preserving and storing food, to government relief measures, each one exemplifies the wisdom and tenacity of the ancients. Some of these methods may sound a little weird, while others are moving. But in any case, they are people's efforts to survive in those difficult times.