In the Qing Dynasty, there were many fires in the Forbidden City, but they did not cause particularly heavy losses. The reason is not difficult to guess. With so many lessons learned in the past, our ancestors learned to take precautions before they happened. Not only did they place a large number of water tanks in the courtyard, but they were also extremely particular about the placement.
In the eyes of the emperor, these large vats brought good luck and peace, so they were also called auspicious vats or peace vats. Moreover, these vats were divided into iron vats and burnt ancient bronze vats according to the materials they were made of. and gilt jars. In the palace, different jars will be placed in different locations. In order to better prevent fire and to show the wealth and power of the royal family, the most important and largest halls in the Forbidden City are the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Zhonghe, and the Hall of Preservation and Harmony. Along the line of Qianqing Palace, there are gilt vats that can hold the most water and are the most exquisitely made.
According to the records in the "Zou Pin Document" during the Qianlong period, each gilt copper vat weighed about 1,696 kilograms. It cost more than 500 taels of silver to make these vats alone, plus the vats. The one hundred taels of gold covered outside will cost at least one thousand five hundred taels of silver. In addition, the servants of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were very laborious and meticulous in taking care of these tanks.
In summer, these tanks need to be taken care of by handymen every day, and the water should be added and changed in time. In winter, the weather became dry and cold, and the emperor was worried about fires, so he asked the chief eunuch to put liners on these cylinder heads, and the liners would not be put away until the next year. Moreover, in order to prevent the tanks and the water in them from freezing, small stone stoves were placed at the bottom of each tank and the fire was lit day and night.
Our ancestors were wise, and just one tank can have such a big effect. It is not only a decoration in the courtyard, but also greatly facilitates daily life. It can quench thirst and serve as fire prevention. Therefore, many people still have water tanks in their yards. No matter what the purpose is, it is always good. of. Therefore, as long as we make good use of many things in life, we can maximize their use.