The Forbidden City was guarded by a long snake who did not eat or drink for 600 years, and it still guards the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City was built during the Ming Dynasty in China, and was later known as the Forbidden City. To this day, the Forbidden City is still the largest ancient building in the world. Architectural feng shui was very particular in ancient times, especially in the feng shui layout of the Forbidden City. As an imperial city for hundreds of years in Chinese history, there are naturally many secret stories. Among them, there is a story about the "long snake" that has been hidden in the Forbidden City for 600 years and guarded the Forbidden City, which aroused the editor's interest. What is this "long snake"?
In fact, this long snake is not a real snake, but a moat called Jinshuihe. The Jinshui River flows into the city from the northwest of the entire Forbidden City, and flows along the west wall to the southwest. The exit of the southeast corner of the river is not an exit of equal width like an ordinary waterway, but is built into a triangle like a snake head. The reason why this Inner Jinshui River is called a long snake is this. the reason.
When emperors are at home, their palaces and palaces, they have to consider some geographical and security issues. Jinshui River is the last line of defense for ancient Chinese emperors to protect themselves. In addition to being able to resist foreign enemies, the most important role is to supply water for the entire Forbidden City. The people in the palace all drink the water from this river. And other things such as washing clothes every day need to use the water in the Jinshui River. If there is no Jinshui River, there will be a big problem with the water supply of the people in the palace.
Most of the ancient buildings in the Forbidden City are wooden structures, and there are many people in the Forbidden City, and the demand for fire is relatively large, and it is easy to cause a fire if you are not careful. In the case of relatively low fire protection conditions in ancient times, using natural water sources to extinguish fires has almost become the only option. The nearby Jinshui River can provide a steady stream of water and contribute a unique force to ensure the fire safety of the Forbidden City. And if the rain causes the water level to rise, the drainage system it designed can also flow the accumulated water after the rain along the dark river into the Jinshui River, and then drain it out of the palace from the Jinshui River. Really invulnerable.
This winding moat passes through the entire Forbidden City in a serpentine shape, with a calm demeanor and a graceful figure hidden in the Forbidden City for 600 years! Six hundred years have passed, and it is this "big snake" that has protected the Forbidden City from water and fire, and has come to the present without fear in the long river of history. Now the function of the moat is no longer a defense, but is known as a unique part of the Forbidden City landscape.