In the Tang Dynasty, not only the emperor was obsessed with alchemy, but also many famous poets, such as Li Bai, Bai Juyi, Lu, Liu Yuxi and Yuan Zhen. Of the 22 emperors in the Tang Dynasty (including Wu Zetian), 15 were obsessed with alchemy, and 5 emperors died in the elixir. They are:
First, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. Li Shimin didn't believe this in his early years, and he also laughed at Qin Shihuang and Emperor Wudi who pursued immortality. As a result, when he was old and in poor health, he began to believe that Dan medicine could make people keep fit and live forever. "Old Tang Shu" records:
(Emperor Taizong) took the longevity medicine of monk Hu, which led to sudden illness. ?
Second, Chun-Li, Tang Xianzong. Chun-Li did a lot in his early days, but after making some achievements, he gradually became arrogant. He was partial to the treacherous court official Huang Fusong and asked him to seek an elixir for himself, so Huang Fusong recommended a mountain man named Liu Bi to him. Later, Chun-Li began to take Dan medicine and became grumpy. Although he was killed by the eunuch, his death was not far from him because of the deep poisoning.
Third, Tang Muzong Hengli. When Li Henggang ascended the throne, he executed the warlock who was an alchemist for Xianzong. However, after a stroke in his later years, he also tried to refine the elixir of life. From then on, he began to take Dan medicine continuously, and even Chu Shi advised him to take less. As a result, Hengli refused to listen to advice and was poisoned by Dan medicine when he was 29 years old.
Fourth, Tang Wuzong Li Yan. Li Yan was also a relatively successful emperor. Under his rule, the Tang Dynasty appeared? Huichang Zhongxing? . But like his grandfather and father, he was obsessed with elixir, took elixir for a long time, and finally died of poisoning at the age of 32. It is said that he was so poisoned that he couldn't even speak ten days before his death.
Verb (abbreviation for verb) Li Chen, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. Li Chen was also a relatively successful emperor, known as? Little Taizong? . Unfortunately, he was still obsessed with the elixir of life and eventually died of poisoning by taking it. According to records:
The emperor actually seduced Raymond, a doctor who had treated him for many years. He was thirsty and dry, and his back was gangrenous. ?
What are these pills made of and why are they so toxic?
In 1970s, in the suburb of Xi, Shaanxi Province, a cellar of the Tang Dynasty was found, which contained a silver jar of the Tang Dynasty. Later, through modern medical analysis, it was found that these pills contained cinnabar, stalactite, Solanum lyratum Thunb, nourishing yin and other 13 components.
Among them, cinnabar in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine can really achieve the effect of treating diseases as long as it is used reasonably. However, if taken in excess, it may harm the central nervous system, and in severe cases, it will lead to the death of human body due to organ failure. It can be seen that most of the deaths of emperors in the Tang Dynasty were caused by overdose.
Then, since five emperors died of taking Dan medicine in the Tang Dynasty, why were the later emperors obsessed with alchemy?
First, at that time, anyone with status and ability would covet the throne. Those who can really sit on the throne naturally cherish this position. So their desire for eternal life can be described as paranoia, and they will try anyway.
Second, although there are lessons from the past, the later emperors always believed that immortality really existed, but the ancestors did not find the right way. So they looked for alchemists everywhere, hoping to improve the elixir of life with their help, so as to realize real immortality.
Third, the emperors of the Tang Dynasty always had hereditary diseases, which are recorded in the history books as? Wind disease? . It was because of the severe windstorm that Tang Gaozong and Li Zhi handed over the political power to Wu Zetian and gave her a chance to run for the throne. According to current medical research, wind disease is a stroke. Because of this genetic disease, they have to rely on drugs to treat it. Plus some pills, short-term use can really make people strong, so I especially believe in the power of pills and am willing to give it a try.
Ancient emperors were obsessed with alchemy, but they only did it to live longer. Who knows that they are obsessed with Dan medicine, but they lost their lives. Although many emperors died, later emperors still enjoyed it. The most representative is Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, who was almost killed by a maid-in-waiting for an alchemy.
Here, I have to mention the two emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. They are all representatives of emperors with extremely long lives in history, and they never pursue the way of immortality. It can be seen that if you want to live a long life, you should eat well, drink moderately, live a peaceful life and be calm, just like Emperor Kangxi. Even if you can't live forever, you can at least prolong your life in a certain range.