What is "Huang Liangmeng"?

"Huang Liangmeng" means that the good things you want end up with nothing. In addition, there are references to "an evil dream", "an evil pillow" and "a dream in Handan". This word comes from the chapter of the legendary novel "Sleeping Man" in Tang Dynasty. The story is that during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, a scholar named Lu Sheng went to Beijing to take the exam. When passing by Handan, I met a Taoist Lu Weng who knew magic in the hotel. During the conversation, Lu Sheng repeatedly lamented the plight of his poor words, always showing his unwillingness to be lonely and yearning for prosperity. After Lu Weng noticed it, he took out a celadon pillow from his bag and gave it to Lu Sheng. He said, "Young man, you can have a good sleep with this shell pillow tonight, and you can get what you want."

That night, after sleeping on this celadon pillow, Lu Sheng had a beautiful dream: in a trance, he dreamed that he married the beautiful daughter of Cui family, a famous family in this county, when he came home. In the second year, he was admitted to the Jinshi examination, and later he was promoted step by step by the county commandant, from our time to the official to the prime minister. During his stay in the United States, he also commanded the army, went abroad, and made great achievements. The five sons, 1, are all brilliant and successful. Later, he was impeached and demoted. After many twists and turns, he finally let the emperor know the grievances, and he was more favored by the emperor from then on. Being an official for decades, enjoying the prosperity of the world and living to be over 80 years old.

Just as Lu Sheng was immersed in the life of indulging in money, he suddenly woke up and found himself still lying in the hotel. Everything is the same, even the steamed rice of the shopkeeper is not ready before going to bed. Lu Sheng suddenly realized that the splendor of life was only a short-lived dream.

Since then, people have called "Huang Liangmeng" an unrealistic wish that cannot be realized. It is just an empty joy.