Mr. Zhou Ruchang once said: Cao Xueqin’s life was unusual, ups and downs, and yet glorious. He was "born in prosperity and finally fell into decline", and deeply realized the sadness of life and the ruthlessness of the world. In his later years, he lived in seclusion in Huangye Village, Xishan, Beijing, writing books until he died of poverty and illness without medical treatment. However, his "paper full of absurdities" shocked the world and became the pinnacle of glory in the history of Chinese literature.
? Cao Xueqin came from a wealthy family with a prominent family background. Three generations of his ancestors were favored by Emperor Kangxi, and the Cao family became the most prominent family in Nanjing for a century. The Cao family has a large collection of books and profound family knowledge. His grandfather Cao Yinyou has a collection of poems. In Yangzhou, he was in charge of the engraving of "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" and more than 20 kinds of hardcover books, and was also in charge of the Yangzhou Poetry Bureau. Living in such a gorgeous environment since childhood, he received education from his father and brother, discipline from teachers and friends, read a lot of books, and learned everything from opera, food, health care, medicine, tea ceremony, and weaving, making him a A learned man. However, in the early years of Yongzheng's reign, the Cao family's property was confiscated, and Cao Xueqin moved his family back to Beijing. From the prosperity of flowers and brocades, it suddenly fell into a state of withering and decline.
The decline of his family made him experience many misfortunes in life, and he deeply felt the warmth and warmth of human nature and the indifference of the world. However, in order to revive his family, he studied diligently, visited teachers and friends, and visited the powerful officials in the court. However, due to his status as a criminal or other reasons, he only held some inconspicuous and small positions.
In his later years, Cao Xueqin moved to the western suburbs of Beijing and lived in poverty, to the point where "the path was covered with basil" and "the whole family had to eat porridge". But he never slacked off with his ambition to "repair the sky". His friend Duncheng admired his talent and demeanor very much. When he learned that he was frustrated because of his identity as a criminal, he comforted and encouraged him in the poem "Regards of Cao Xueqin": "I advise you not to play tricks on the diners, and I advise you not to flatter the rich." "Ermen. It is better to write a book about Huangye Village than to eat leftovers." The purpose is to persuade him to retreat despite the difficulties and rely on his extraordinary talent to write a book.
? Cao Xueqin lived up to his expectations. Although he suffered from hunger, toil and disease during his more than ten years of seclusion in Xishan, he continued to write and with perseverance, he transformed his old work "Wind and Moon Treasure Mirror" "After ten years of reading and adding and deleting five times," "Dream of Red Mansions" was written, a masterpiece that "every word looks like blood, and ten years of hard work is unusual."
? Just when he had just finished writing the first eighty chapters, his beloved young son died. He was trapped in excessive sadness and grief and became bedridden. Finally, he died of poverty and illness without medical treatment. Less than fifty years old. Unfortunately, the book was not completed during his lifetime. However, incompleteness is also a kind of beauty. Just like the Venus with a broken arm, Dream of Red Mansions also has this incomplete regret, leaving a lot of room for speculation and daydream for future generations. Therefore, many literary and artistic works have appeared in later generations. A highly valuable sequel to "Dream of Red Mansions".
Cao Xueqin "has a life experience of nobility, honor and disgrace, rise and fall, separation and separation, joys and sorrows". Although he was bumpy and troubled, and his talents were not found, his life was as brilliant and glorious as the masterpiece "A Dream of Red Mansions" It is worth passing on and reading for future generations.