Why do you say Lao Wang sells melons to brag?

Classification: society/culture >> Historical topics

Problem description:

Why Lao Wang, not Lao Chen, Lao Zhang, Lao Li and CSI?

Analysis:

Laowang selling melons to brag is a two-part allegorical saying, which evolved from Wangpo selling melons to brag.

The old lady sells melons and praises her story.

Wang Po, it's actually a man. His surname is Wang and his name is Wang Po. Because he talks a lot, people gave him a nickname-Wang Po. Wang Po's hometown is Xixia (now Gansu, Xinjiang), where he grows melons for a living. The melon in that area is called melon, which is today's cantaloupe. At that time, there were frequent border wars in the Song Dynasty. In order to take refuge, Wang Po moved to rural Kaifeng and planted gourds.

But the appearance of cucurbit silk is not very beautiful. People in the Central Plains don't know this kind of melon, so although it is ten times sweeter than ordinary watermelon, no one buys it.

Wang Po was in a hurry. He boasted to passers-by how delicious his melon was and cut it open for everyone to taste. No one dared to eat it at first. Later, a brave man came up and took a bite, which was as sweet as honey. As a result, the news spread, and the melon stall business in Wang Po was booming, with people coming and going.

One day, Emperor Zongshen went out to inspect the palace. On a whim, he came to the market, where there were many people. He asked around, "What's that noise?" The left and right princes said, "Tell me about the emperor. He sells melons and attracts people to buy melons. "

The emperor thought what melon was so attractive, so he went to watch it, only to see Wang Po praising his melon. Seeing the emperor, he didn't panic, but also let the emperor taste his gourd silk.

The emperor tasted it and praised it again and again. He asked him, "If you are so powerful, why do you keep shouting?" Wang Po said, "This melon is a Xixia variety. Zhongyuan people don't know. No one will buy it if you don't call it. "

Hearing this, the emperor said with emotion, "What's wrong with doing business or bragging, like an old woman selling melons and boasting?" As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, this sentence spread all over the north and south of the Yellow River until today.