Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept

Gia NhiDec 30, 2023 at 18:27

 4  |  1 Discuss  |  Report

Follow on

Queen Mother Cixi in history is a name very familiar with luxury and waste. She has a habit of eating watermelon that is difficult for anyone to accept. Moreover, more than half of the Qing Dynasty's national treasury was spent by her.

Those who have read "Dream of the Red Chamber" will probably feel fascinated by the delicious dishes in it. Although people only read the words and cannot enjoy the taste of the food, just reading the elaborate cooking methods of each dish makes them feel dizzy. All kinds of delicious dishes are placed on the same dining table, sometimes those dishes are just side dishes to add flavor and not the main dish. Indeed, ordinary modern people like us cannot understand the way of life of ancient aristocrats.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 1

When it comes to the luxury of ancient aristocrats, many people will immediately think of Empress Dowager Cixi. Because, more than half of the Qing Dynasty's national treasury was spent by her. So normally, what is Queen Mother Tu Hi's dining life like? In fact, she is very picky when it comes to eating, the nutritional value or taste of the food are secondary, the grand appearance is the main focus, she must cover the entire dining table.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 2

It is known that for a Cixi meal, there must be more than 100 dishes on the table. Of those more than 100 dishes, of course she will not eat them all, but will only choose a few dishes that look satisfactory and eat a few bites. The remaining dishes, if you are in a good mood, will be rewarded to the people below, but if you are in a normal mood, you will throw them all away. Such a wasteful way of eating and drinking costs hundreds of taels of silver in terms of m.oney alone. Furthermore, Cixi is also very picky in terms of culinary preparation, not only eating the best things, but the chef must also be the best chef, the types of dishes must be diverse, not duplicated.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 3

b>

Famous chefs from all over the Qing Dynasty at that time had headaches every day when faced with all kinds of expensive foods. In addition to the usual three meals a day, Tu Hi also wants to eat breakfast, fruits, and cakes. For example, when eating watermelon, everyone likes to cut the watermelon in half, then use a spoon to eat the intestines. Almost everyone will eat the red part of the melon. But Tu Hi was different, she only ate one piece of melon in the middle of the melon, which was also the sweetest part, all the other parts were left out and did not eat.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 4

Every time they ate watermelon, the eunuchs had to carry dozens of melons next to them, because Tu Hi only ate one piece, and after eating this melon, he switched to another melon. Just like that, tens of thousands of melons have been wasted all summer. Such a luxurious life caused the Qing dynasty's treasury to run out. It was very difficult for the Beiyang Fleet to accumulate some budget, but as a result, they bought weapons of poor quality that could not have been worse. Not to mention the fact that Cixi also used the national treasury to build lavish gardens and mausoleums for herself.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 5

Behind such waste of wealth and national treasury are people in the lower strata of society who are exploited. Furthermore, China at that time was still being divided and oppressed by imperialist countries, and its national treasury was increasingly exhausted.

Of the kings who have made great contributions in Chinese history, is there anyone who is not frugal and does not care about people's lives? Coming to Tu Hi, he didn't care, neglected, and brutally exploited the people, only wanting to enjoy all the glory and wealth in the world alone. In the end, the Qing Dynasty was destroyed, her luxurious mausoleum was stolen, all the m.oney and wealth that she could not take away was scrounged by others, all that remained were words. scolding and cursing from later generations and history.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 6

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor could be said to be just a decoration, the real power was in the h.ands of Empress Dowager Cixi. While the common people struggled in poverty, Queen Mother Tu Hi always lived a life full of luxury and luxury, beyond people's imagination.

As we know, when Emperor Kangxi held a banquet to celebrate his 66th birthday, there were a total of 108 dishes, called Manhan Toan Xi, held for 3 full days with 6 parties. These dishes are simply a celebration of life, not held every day.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 7

But when Empress Dowager Cixi was in power, Manchu Han could not "satisfy" her status. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the installation of a Tay Thien Room (Western-style dining room). In this room, there is only 1 waiter and more than 100 dishes. Moreover, every day we have to do the same.

Of course, Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't eat all of those foods. Most of the time she only tasted each dish once, and there were even a few dishes she never touched. All are seen as displaying the power of Empress Dowager Cixi.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 8

Every day it's like that, to the point where the chef (chef) of Tay Thien Phong can't stand it anymore and doesn't want to waste any more food. Therefore, while cooking, the chefs s.ecretly arrange the dishes in a special way, arranging the food with just a thin layer on top. Because Empress Dowager Cixi only ate a little bit of each dish and didn't even eat many dishes at all, she didn't detect this change.

Empress Dowager Cixi once ate 300 watermelons at a time, a luxury habit that is difficult for anyone to accept - Photo 9

Did you LIKE this article?
Yes
No

Related topics

Empress Dowager Cixi terrified the palace maids when she served her to sleep, exhausted to the point of d.eath.

Uyển Đình15:31:17 30/08/2024
Empress Dowager Cixi was the most powerful woman in Chinese history. It is well known that Empress Dowager Cixi lived a lavish life. Even when the Qing Dynasty was in danger, she still leisurely held a lavish birthday party.

 4  |  1 Discuss  |  

The mystery of Guangxu's d.eath: Very tragic, Empress Dowager Cixi arranged revenge

Tuyết Ngọc18:18:56 27/08/2024
Having been a puppet all his life, the mystery of Emperor Guangxu's d.eath still makes posterity curious. Some experts say that his d.eath was not as tragic as many people think, but it was not until 2008 that the truth was revealed.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The mysterious identity of the bodyguard beside Tu Hi made Huo Yuanjia "shudder"

Nguyễn Kim16:28:12 26/08/2024
As the person holding the highest power in the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi certainly could not avoid a.ssassination plots from hostile forces. Therefore, she always had to have the most talented imperial guards by her side to protect her.

 4  |  1 Discuss  |  

The famously extravagant Empress Dowager Cixi used three cheap things to preserve her youth. Why?

Bình Minh17:29:50 22/08/2024
It seems that a person who lives a lavish life like Tu Hi would never touch common things. But unexpectedly, these 3 common foods in life were loved and used regularly by her.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

Why did Empress Dowager Cixi's first train ride cause such trauma and anger among people?

Tuyết Ngọc21:17:38 16/08/2024
The first time she took a train in 1881, Empress Dowager Cixi made extremely strange rules that made everyone cry. It is known that at that time, she wanted to return to her hometown of Fengtian in the Northeast to worship her ancestors.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Unique dishes that the emperor of the Forbidden City ate every day, including today's hottest drinks

Tuyết Ngọc18:25:49 10/08/2024
Much of what went on in the daily lives of famous people in the Forbidden City remains a mystery to this day, including the lavish meals enjoyed by Chinese emperors.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The 5th generation descendant of Empress Dowager Tu Xi: Beautiful appearance, outstanding talent

An Nhi14:28:52 09/08/2024
Tu Hi's 5th granddaughter owns a smooth beauty that is considered younger than her age despite time and has facial features very similar to Tu Hi in old photos.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The day Empress Dowager Tu Xi was born had a strange phenomenon and a terrifying prophecy fulfilled

Tuyết Ngọc17:16:23 06/08/2024
On the day Empress Dowager Tu Xi was born, a strange celestial phenomenon appeared in the sky of the Forbidden City and her house. However, at that time, Emperor Dao Quang thought it was a good omen and didn't think much of it.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The end of the female concubine who dared to oppose Empress Dowager Tu Xi was pitifully tragic

Nguyễn Kim14:03:35 03/08/2024
Among the few ruling women of feudal Chinese history, Empress Dowager Cixi of the Manchu Dynasty and Wu Tetian of the Wuzhou Dynasty are considered the two most famous figures.

 2  |  1 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Cixi and her luxurious and unique pleasures made her subjects angry and her servants terrified

Uyển Đình17:08:41 19/07/2024
When talking about Empress Dowager Cixi, it is impossible not to mention her extravagant and unusual lifestyle. During her reign, Empress Dowager Cixi many times shocked people with fun things that only she dared to do.

 20  |  1 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Cixi was famous for her authority, but there was only one person who made her "speechless"

Uyển Đình18:46:38 15/07/2024
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi was always considered a figure above ten thousand people, the person in charge of the Qing Dynasty. Possessing supreme power, Tu Hi makes many people fear and dare to disobey her wishes.

 7  |  1 Discuss  |  

The tragedy of the Qing "first lady": Living away from her husband because of Cixi Empress Dowager's favor

An Nhi13:50:24 01/05/2024
The title of First Lady of the Qing Dynasty belonged to the Four Ways. But unfortunately, from ancient times until now, Hong Yan often had to live under the control of Empress Dowager Cixi all his life.

 6  |  1 Discuss  |  

check statementsleeping villagenomadic ex-husbandmy boss mailisaequal respectclutch errorcanvasblackpinkvietnamese lakesaka Truong Tuyendestinylight spirit -daffodils