Luoyang Peony and Two Tang Dynasty Emperors

The story of Luoyang peony and Wu Zetian

The first emperor to be mentioned is Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in history. Her ascension to the throne brought great devastation to the peony. Legend has it that in the winter of the second year of Tianshou, there was heavy snow in Chang'an, the Western Capital. Wu Zetian was in high spirits and took her concubines and palace maids to Shangyuan to drink and enjoy the snow. At this time, the heavy snow had just stopped, and all the scenery, including the rockery, pavilions, bridges, and corridors, were dressed in pure white. Although the branches and leaves of various flowers, plants and trees were withered, they were dressed up in the snow and looked like silver branches and jade flowers, and were particularly beautiful. Occasionally, two birds flew over, gently brushed the branches, and white fluff dropped down, like flying butterflies. Wu Zetian was fascinated by the sight. She didn't expect the snow scenery to be so magnificent. Suddenly, she found some burning and jumping flames in the white snow. Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be red plum blossoms in full bloom. Wu Zetian was so happy! She couldn't help but recite a poem to express her joy. When the concubines who were admiring the flowers saw the empress dowager so happy, they all vied to toast her. At this time, one of the concubines said, "Empress Wu, no matter how beautiful the plum blossom is, it is only one flower after all. If you could issue an imperial decree to make all the flowers in the garden bloom, wouldn't it be more satisfying?"

Another concubine shook her head and said, "It is the coldest time of winter now, and the plum blossoms are in season. If we want all flowers to bloom, we have to wait until next spring."

Wu Zetian laughed loudly and said, "It is not surprising that flowers bloom in spring. It is just what I like to see hundreds of flowers blooming in the snow."

After appreciating the flowers, Wu Zetian was helped back to the palace by the palace maids. But she was still in the mood for wine and was still thinking about letting the flowers bloom against the snow. So he ordered the palace maid to bring the four treasures of the study, and immediately took up the frosty brush, dipped it in thick ink, and wrote a five-character poem on the white silk:

I will visit Shangyuan Garden tomorrow morning to quickly announce the arrival of spring.

The flowers must bloom overnight, don't wait for the morning breeze to blow.

After writing it, she asked the palace maid to take it to the Upper Garden and burn it to inform the flower god.

After the palace maid took Wu Zetian's edict to Shangyuan and burned it, the Fairy of Flowers was frightened. Let's gather together and discuss countermeasures.

Peach Blossom Fairy was the most timid, and said timidly: "Wu Zetian is cruel and ruthless, and she can do anything. We dare not disobey her!"

Several little flower fairies also timidly echoed, "Yes! Let's prepare early and bloom early!"

The Peony Fairy disagreed with their opinions and said angrily: "Wu Zetian is too overbearing. You are in charge of the affairs of the world, and now you are in charge of us. All flowers bloom in their own seasons, and the world was created and the four seasons follow. How can you go against the will of heaven and earth? Sisters, we can't obey you!"

When the flower fairies heard what the Peony Fairy said, they all felt that every word made sense. But when they thought of Wu Zetian's cruelty, they hesitated again.

The Peach Blossom Fairy begged the Peony Fairy, "My dear sister, please listen to me and let's obey." For Wu Zetian, killing someone is as easy as stepping on an ant, let alone us delicate flowers?

Many fairies continued, "Sister, this is the only time to start. Otherwise, disaster will befall you."

The Peony Fairy said stubbornly: "We can never do anything against our will. As long as we are strong-willed, what can she do to us?"

It was the fourth watch, and daybreak was approaching. Seeing that the Peony Fairy had made up her mind, the other flower fairies had no choice but to disperse hastily and go back to bloom.

Birds are chirping and the morning light is breaking. When Wu Zetian woke up, she was no longer drunk. She got up, dressed, and sat in front of the mirror while the maid dressed her. At this moment, the palace maid pushed the door open and reported happily: "Your Majesty, all the flowers in Shangyuan are in bloom!"

When Wu Zetian heard this, she was overjoyed. She thought the poem she wrote the other night was just a drunken joke, but she didn't expect that the flowers would really bloom in compliance with the emperor's order. She hurried out of the palace and came to Shangyuan. Looking around, the peach blossoms, plum blossoms, magnolias, crabapples, hibiscus, lilacs and other flowers in the garden are all in full bloom, in clusters and groups, colorful and vying for beauty. The brilliant morning glow reflects on the flowers, and the bright white snow is set off by the green leaves. They sway in the wind, sometimes bending and sometimes looking up, graceful and charming. At this time, all the civil and military officials in the court came running to watch the strange scene. Facing all the ministers, Wu Zetian was so proud of herself that she strode towards a field of bare peonies. When she saw that only the peony had not bloomed among the flowers, she felt a surge of anger. I thought, how can this be possible! If you don't follow my advice, how can I govern the country? Besides, wouldn't it be embarrassing to face all these civil and military officials? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she yelled, "Bold Peony! How dare you be so presumptuous and disobey my order and refuse to bloom? Set it on fire and not a single one will be left!" After saying that, she left in anger.

After receiving the order, the warriors immediately lit the firewood and threw it into the peony bushes. Suddenly, thick smoke billowed and flames blazed, and the peony was burning with crackling sounds. The Peony Fairy couldn't help shedding tears and was filled with grief and anger as she watched a field of peonies about to be destroyed.

At noon, the fire burned out and the peony garden turned into charred ashes. The eunuch reported to Wu Zetian: Your Majesty, the peony has been burned to ashes.

Wu Zetian was still furious and said angrily: "Eradicate them completely, banish them from Chang'an, and throw them into the Mangshan Mountain in Luoyang, so that they will be extinct from generation to generation!"

The warriors immediately picked up their hoes, dug up the peonies with their roots, loaded them onto trucks and sent them to Luoyang overnight, where they were thrown onto the Mangshan Ridge.

Mang Mountain in Luoyang is a remote and desolate place with crisscrossing gullies, and is a well-known barren place. Emperor Wu wanted to throw Peony here and let her suffer so as to relieve his hatred. Who would have thought that after the peony arrived in this barren land, it would take root again. Next spring, the mountains will be full of green. The people of Mangshan have loved peonies for a long time, and they transplanted and cultivated them in every household. When people from the city heard about it, they also came to transplant the trees. The Peony Fairy was very happy to see that the people of Luoyang loved peonies so much. When Grain Rain arrives, every plant blooms in various shapes and sizes. People come to admire the peonies, young and old, from morning till night, creating a sea of ​​people and flowers, creating an extraordinary spectacle.

Peonies are planted and blooming in Luoyang. Because this kind of peony remained strong and steadfast in its determination despite the blaze of Wu Zetian, people praised it as "Scorched Bone Peony". The flower fairies were also impressed by Peony's fearlessness of power and they all respectfully called Peony the "King of Flowers".

The story of Luoyang peony and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang

Another Tang Dynasty emperor who had a close relationship with peonies was Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji. According to legend, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji once admired peonies with Yang Guifei beside the Chenxiang Pavilion in the back garden. In order to record the beautiful scenery, he summoned Li Bai to compose a poem. At this time, the poet was still drunk and wrote three poems of "Qingping Diao" in a half-awake state.

First:

The clouds look like clothes and the flowers look like beauty; the spring breeze blows across the threshold and the dew drops on the face make it gorgeous.

If we hadn't met on the top of the Jade Mountain, we would have met under the moon on the Jade Terrace.

Second:

A red branch with fragrance condensed from dew, the lovemaking in Wushan is in vain.

I wonder who in the Han Palace can be like Feiyan, relying on her new makeup.

Third:

The famous flower and the beautiful woman are in love with each other, and the king looks at them with a smile.

To explain the infinite hatred of the spring breeze, I lean against the railings of the north side of the Chenxiang Pavilion.

Xuanzong and his concubines were all delighted and praised the performance. They immediately asked Li Guinian to compose a song for the opera performers to sing. The reputation of Luoyang peony as "the most beautiful flower in the world" and "the king of flowers" has become even more widely known.