Because these vats maintain the peace of the court, they are also called "Taiping vats" and "auspicious vats". In fact, these tanks also have a more grounded name, called "Menhai", which means "taking the sea in front of the door", and extinguishing the fire with seawater indicates that the palace will never have a fire.
Many of these tanks were cast in the Ming Dynasty and also in the Qing Dynasty. It is said that at first there were 308 vats, which were distributed in various parts of the Forbidden City, but later there were fewer. It is said that there are only 23 1 vat left. Why did they disappear? It turned out to be related to a scandal in the history of that year.
By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the national strength was declining, and Empress Dowager Cixi did not know how to govern the country. At first, she said, "Measure China's material resources and please the country." Later, she said, "instead of trying to survive, it will be a shame for all ages." As a result, Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China and Cixi fled to xi 'an.
After Beijing was occupied by Eight-Nation Alliance, many treasures in the palace were naturally looted. Later, these soldiers didn't even let go of the big barrels in the palace, because these big barrels were made of iron, copper and gold-plated copper, and each big barrel cost more than 500 taels of silver, plus gold, at least 1500 taels of silver.
Eight-Nation Alliance not only robbed the Forbidden City of many antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and jewels, but eventually even the gold on these vats hung up. It is conceivable that the invading army waved broadswords and paddled crocodiles. This scene is really heartbreaking.
After being swept by Eight-Nation Alliance, many scratches were left on these vats. Until now, these scratches are still there and have become a scandal in the history of the Chinese nation. Although no one wants to talk about it, it did happen. It can be seen that similar things will not happen again only when the country is strong.