What stupid things did Empress Dowager Cixi do when she was alive in history?

Empress Dowager Cixi was the last actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty, who held the power of the Qing court for half a century. But Empress Dowager Cixi's ability to govern the country is really poor. Under her rule, the Qing Dynasty completely lagged behind the western countries at that time. Initiated by Li Hongzhang and others? Westernization Movement? Later, because empress dowager cixi's vision was conservative and ignorant, she not only made? Westernization Movement? Failure, but also made a lot of jokes.

Are you online? Westernization Movement? During this period, the ministers of Westernization School headed by Li Hongzhang and Zeng Guofan introduced many new technologies and machines from western countries, and the most advanced transportation train at that time was one of them.

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the national strength was weak, and the river channel was not dredged for decades. By Guangxu, the grain transportation system in Qing Dynasty could not meet the national freight requirements. In order to solve the problem of coal transportation in Kaiping Mining Bureau, Li Hongzhang wrote to Empress Dowager Cixi and requested to build a coal transportation railway from Tangshan to Xugezhuang. However, due to the strong opposition of Empress Dowager Cixi, the construction of the railway finally ran aground.

Then, why did Empress Dowager Cixi resolutely oppose the construction of railways? The reason for this is really ridiculous.

As we all know, Wusong Railway? It was officially operated in the history of China, and was built by the British in 1876. In fact, as early as 1865, an Englishman named Durand built a mini railway outside Xuanwu Gate. This railway is only 500 meters long. Its main function is not to operate, but to show people the latest means of transportation.

However, when the Durand Railway was completed, Beijingers were greatly frightened by the speeding trains. So, how did the Qing people react when they first saw the train? In Li Yuerui's Riding in the Ice Room in Spring, there is such a record:? Shi Jingren-unheard of, terrible as a monster, if this country is crazy, it will change a lot. ?

Because people at that time saw the train for the first time and regarded it as a steel monster. Both government officials and ordinary people are very afraid of this new thing, the train. Empress Dowager Cixi was not happy when she learned that, so she immediately gave in and led the yamen to dismantle the railway. Then the British built it? Songhu Railway? Later, Empress Dowager Cixi simply bought it for nearly 300,000 taels of silver, and then the railway was demolished.

Empress Dowager Cixi refused the railway for a simple reason. What does she think railway construction will lead to? Lose me, harm our land, hinder my feng shui? .

However, building railways is the general trend. Although Empress Dowager Cixi tried every means to obstruct it, it was abolished by the imperial court. Tang Xu Railway? It was still completed and opened to traffic at 188 1.

Are you online? Tang Xu Railway? After opening to traffic, using trains to transport coal not only improves efficiency, but also greatly saves manpower and material resources. However, because this railway is not far from the Qing Tomb, Empress Dowager Cixi quickly made an absurd decision. She thought that the huge roar of the train would disturb her ancestors buried in the tomb of the Eastern Qing Dynasty, so she ordered the locomotive to be shut down and pulled by mules and horses instead.

Throughout the life of Empress Dowager Cixi, we can say that we have done many stupid things. Let the mule pull the train, after all, many countries had the experience of horse-drawn trains at that time. What happened afterwards? Xiyuan Railway? After the completion, it is really too much to use people to pull the train!

Because Empress Dowager Cixi has always been biased against trains, in order to change Empress Dowager Cixi's view on trains, Li Hongzhang decided to build a royal railway specifically for Empress Dowager Cixi, so that Empress Dowager Cixi could see the convenience of trains.

1886, Li Hongzhang took advantage of Empress Dowager Cixi's great construction in Xiyuan Sanhai to build a railway between China Sea and Beihai Sea. Xiyuan Railway? . In order to show the noble status of Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Hongzhang also spent a lot of money to order six royal carriages and traction locomotives from France for the exclusive use of Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor.

1888, in? Xiyuan Railway? After the completion, Empress Dowager Cixi happened to live in a Luan Hall in Zhonghai. At this time, the railway built by Li Hongzhang came in handy. Empress Dowager Cixi had to take a small train to and from a Luandian and Beihai Jing Qing Zhai every day.

After the Empress Dowager Cixi took the train, she really felt much more comfortable than sitting in a sedan chair. The only fly in the ointment is that the train will make a lot of noise, which makes Empress Dowager Cixi very dissatisfied. Besides, Empress Dowager Cixi is superstitious about Feng Shui and afraid of the roar of trains? Will it destroy the pulse of Miyagi? So she made a very wonderful decision later. When the train was running, it didn't need a locomotive to pull it. But? Four people supervise each carriage and drag it with a rope? .

It's really ridiculous to leave the good traction locomotive behind and use manpower to pull the train. It can also be seen from here that Empress Dowager Cixi was so ignorant in this respect, and it is strange that the Qing Dynasty did not decline under her rule.