For love, the emperor is also crazy! (Down)
[Cultural Arena] 3 Competing for favor or looking for love? Viewing love and human nature from "The Legend of Zhen Huan in the Harem"
"Fairness and justice" is what everyone desires, but that can only happen when personal integrity is preserved and valued...
Since its first broadcast in 2012, the TV series "The Legend of Zhen Huan" has become a sensation in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. This Qing Dynasty costume drama with the historical background of the Yongzheng Dynasty tells the story of Zhen Huan, a talented and beautiful woman who was reluctantly recruited to participate in the harem draft and was accidentally left in the palace. When she first entered the palace at the age of seventeen, she firmly attracted the attention of the emperor's beloved pet, but she was jealous and plotted by the entire harem. After several ups and downs, and near-death encounters, she finally defeated all enemies, fought her way through the jungle of the harem where the weak and the strong preyed, and became the supreme empress dowager at the age of twenty-nine.
In the last two issues, literary pastor Su Wen'an has talked about "Lenovo 1: Discussing love between men and women from the perspective of human nature", "Lenovo 2: Discussing the struggle for interests from the perspective of human nature", and "Lenovo 3: Discussing power corruption from the perspective of human nature" from the perspective of reflections. This issue continues to analyze the two profound associations in the finale.
Lenovo 4: Talking about interpersonal relationships from the perspective of human nature
"Idea → Position → Circle" is the way of life.
It can be evil or it can be good.
In order to survive in the "harem jungle" where she is beautiful and graceful on the surface but is predatory on the weak, Zhen Huan finally realizes the way of life of "idea → position → circle".
‧ Ideas:Seeking ideas for survival, ideas for competing for favor, and ideas for harming others.
‧ Seat:The taste in the harem, the ranking in the emperor's mind, and the geographical index of the palace where they live.
‧ Circle:The patrons in the harem (Hua Fei, the Queen, the Queen Mother, Zhen Huan) and their surrounding patrons; the cronies of the previous dynasty (Nian Gengyao Party, Longkoduo Party, others).
This "Idea→Position→Circle" way of doing things is just like the power and position discussed in "Association 3" above. It is neutral and can be used for evil or good.
Compared with Concubine Hua using cruelty and huge sums of money, and the Empress using conspiracy and drugs to threaten, induce, and control some poor people as minions and lackeys. It seems that they are strong and strong, but in fact they have their own agendas and eccentricities. We see how Zhen Huan uses Consolidate and manage your own circle with sincerity.
Needless to say, Prince Guo, who was committed to Zhen Huan life and death, and finally gave up his life resolutely for her; Shen Meizhuang, who was inseparable from Zhen Huan since childhood, and entered the palace together, and his personal maid Liu Zhu, whose friendship will last until death; with Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang's childhood sweetheart and the imperial physician Wen Shichu who grew up together will of course swear to protect them to the death. In addition, there are Si Age (later Qianlong) who followed Zhen Huan wholeheartedly because he was promoted from a humble position by Zhen Huan and treated her sincerely and warmly; the palace maid Cui Jinxi; and the eunuch Xiao Yunzi. There are also Wanbi and Jingbin who were once tempted or forced to betray Zhen Huan, but were saved by her tolerance and magnanimity. Finally, there are Chun'er, Duan Fei, Su Peisheng, and Ye Lanyi, who were originally enemies and friends, who automatically moved closer to her because of her personality charm.
Only when Zhen Huan and her close friends come up with all their ideas, secure their positions, and form a circle can they fight back and forth with the Hua Fei Party and the Queen Party who use all possible means, fighting and retreating, and falling repeatedly. rise. Although the sacrifice was heavy, Zhen Huan was finally able to survive the storm and reach the other shore safely.It can be seen that in life, ministry or the workplace, in addition to having new "ideas" and having the right "position", the key to success is whether you can create an energetic and protective "circle".
The Old Testament records that David, the famous king of Israel, was an outstanding person who was good at running a "circle". During the years when he was in exile, there were still 600 die-hard brothers who never left him despite lack of food and clothing and precarious life. He must have been sincere and affectionate with his companions, otherwise it would have been impossible for three brave men to risk their lives and go deep behind the enemy lines to draw water from the well in front of the gate of his hometown of Bethlehem and give it to him because of David's homesick words (Reference 1 Chronicles 3:17-19).
▲ David, the famous king of Israel, was a leader in running a “circle”. He must be sincere and affectionate with his partners.
Unfortunately, this is not the case in most Chinese circles. Usually in order to seize personal power, they recruit friends and associates to form interest groups or factions to defeat each other. Everyone uses hard-to-get tactics to achieve their own goals, and they are always trying to figure out the other party's overtones and true motives. No wonder, everyone "the city is very deep."
This kind of interpersonal interaction atmosphere full of suspense and tension is actually the selling point of Chinese palace costume dramas such as "The Legend of Zhen Huan". This was true in the harem of the Forbidden City in Beijing in the 18th century, and it is not the same in the global shopping malls, workplaces and officialdoms in the 21st century! However, if everyone is like this every day in family life, workplace relationships, and ministry teams, how tiring it would be!
As I write this, I can't help but remember a golden saying from the first psalm: "He who does not listen to the counsel of the wicked, does not follow the footsteps of sinners, and does not join those who disrespect God, is truly blessed." (Modern Chinese translation) - "Don't follow the evil man's plan", doesn't it mean "Don't follow the evil idea"? "Don't follow the footsteps of sinners", doesn't it mean "Don't step on the evil path and strive for the position of unrighteousness"? And "Don't associate with those who disrespect God" doesn't mean "Don't get involved in the circle of bad people"? So, as long as you don't do the above three things and just interact closely with good people, righteous people, and godly people, doesn't it mean you are running a positive and healthy "circle"?
Lenovo 5: Talking about life renewal from the perspective of human nature
Have faith in God, hope in yourself, and love for others.
Mr. Sun Longji analyzed in his book "The Deep Structure of Chinese Culture" (Hua Qianshu, 2005) that Chinese people are accustomed to defining themselves by their position or role in the group, so that there is room for "self" to develop and grow. Where it simply does not exist or is underdeveloped, powerful introspection cannot occur.
This statement is true. In newspapers, television, and the Internet, we often see news about political and business celebrities being corrupt, perverting the law, and immoral. With few exceptions, after the Dongchuang incident occurred, almost all the victims tried their best to excuse themselves and shirk blame. However, the King David recorded in the Bible, although not perfect and although he made mistakes, is a rare example of humility and self-examination. ─A poem he wrote after repenting can be evidence of this.
This penitential psalm, included in Psalm 51, is marked at the top with the words "give it to the chief singer." It is intended that this poem will be set to a melody and officially handed over to the conductor of the National Choir and Symphony Orchestra to be sung publicly at important national ceremonies. Doesn’t this mean that the country’s top leader is banging gongs and drums for the palace scandal and publicly confessing his guilt before God and the people of the country? Compared with the Emperor Yongzheng in the play who is mad and complaining all day long, "Why is everyone plotting against me?", this kind of confession can be said to be extremely sincere!
▲The emperor, who had 100% of the resources and absolute power of life and death, became "the most dangerous man in the world."
However, does sincere repentance necessarily lead to liberation? Can a man pull himself by his hair and pull himself out of the mire of guilt?
In fact, "repenting to eliminate guilt" and "sin and transgressions being forgiven by God" are two completely different things.
The former is "self-rescue", where it is possible to gain peace of mind for a while, but guilt keeps coming back like a tidal wave, disturbing the shore day and night. In the latter, there is a Redeemer who bears the burden of sin for us, pays for our sin debt, and gives you and me great love and power that we cannot produce on our own, so that we can enjoy true rest in our hearts.
By carefully reading Psalm 51, which is only 19 verses, from beginning to end, we can see that repentance should not only stop at stamping one's feet, weeping, and sincerely admitting one's mistakes to relieve the heavy guilt in the soul and seek spiritual recovery. of relief. Repenting without changing is like trying to scoop water out of a broken ship without repairing the holes in the ship.True repentance is a door to repair and rebuild life. The purpose is to allow us to obtain the heat, love, and vitality to heal ourselves, make up for others, and transcend the environment. And its ultimate goal is to reconcile with God and repair the broken relationship with Him.
You and I have made mistakes before, and we are probably making mistakes now, and it is even more difficult to guarantee that we will not make mistakes again in the future. However, in the life journey of repentance, we no longer need to put on a mask and pretend to be perfect like the emperor's concubine in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", and we no longer need to chant slogans without taking action. On the contrary, because we have thoroughly confessed our sins and repented before God, we can have faith in God, hope for ourselves, and love for others. From then on, the interpersonal community no longer becomes a jungle of biting and devouring each other, but a paradise where we support each other, glorify God and benefit others. As King David prayed and praised in this psalm─
"What you ask for is a sincere heart; please fill me with your wisdom. Please take away my sins and make me clean; please wash me and make me whiter than snow. Please let me hear joy and joy voice; even though you crush me, I will rejoice again…O God, please create in me a pure heart; please give me a new and faithful spirit.” (Modern Chinese Translation)
Mission Impossible? ─Humans can’t, God can!
As Mr. Mao Leqi described in the May/June 2013 issue of "Campus" magazine,Today, you and I are in the "capitalist harem". This "emperor" of material desires and interests is an inhumane false god. At most, he "pampers" us with short-term and vain pleasures, but does not truly "love" us. There is no real salvation in this harem, and false hopes can only make people drink poison to quench their thirst; the romantic love that is promised often ends in tragedy; those technological toys, fashions, luxury cars, and luxury cars that are constantly being introduced are not the same under the sun. Something new. When we live in such a harem, without the blood of salvation from God, we have no choice but to use the blood of the poor women around us like the determined concubines in the play to try to warm ourselves, who are cold and filled with jealousy and emptiness. .
He wrote,When we are willing to be in Christ, pay the price, and live for the Lord and others, we participate in His own redemptive work. Although we are still in the same "capitalist harem", no matter whether we are favored or not, how difficult the environment is, how sinister the human heart is, if we remember that we are all God's royal children, if we allow God's love and grace to penetrate through us, This harem became the beautiful "imperial garden" of God.
Yes, a truly mature person with eternal values can love God, love himself, and love others with "unconditional love." This kind of true love has no requirements and will not stop because the other person cannot meet his expectations. Loss of the ability to love each other. Is this Mission Impossible? ─Humans can’t, but God can! Because He has given us such love. Life in the palace may be luxurious, but true love is hard to find due to competition for favor and power.“Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not arrogant, does not do anything rude. It does not seek its own, is not easily angered, does not take into account the wrong done to others, does not rejoice in injustice, Rejoice in all things, bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)The palace has everything except the true meaning of love! However, what Emperor Yongzheng in the play cannot enjoy with the dignity of a country, what Zhen Huan can't achieve in glory and wealth, today you only need to connect to the source of love - the grace of God, study hard and practice seriously, you will have it It's possible! Why not?
Author profile
Su Wen'an has been dedicated to extracting the essence of classical literature and popular culture based on biblical truth for many years, integrating it into writing, editing and teaching.
Pastor Su Wen'an also likes to combine family and literary ministry, and is often invited to serve as a lecturer for families or literary camps in various places. He emphasizes that "workers come before work, authors are more important than works, and sincerity is better than everything else."